While walking in my backyard, I saw something that looked like a long rope on the grass. At first, I didn’t worry. But then I thought—what if it’s a snake? My heart started racing, and I took out my phone to take a picture because I wasn’t sure what it really was.
Curious and a little nervous, I walked closer, ready for anything. But when I got near, I was shocked. It wasn’t a snake or a rope—it was a line of about 150 tiny caterpillars, all moving together like a little train.
They were crawling so close together and in such a perfect line that it looked like they had practiced it. I had never seen anything like it before. Later, I found out this is called “processionary movement.” It might help protect them from animals that want to eat them or help them find food more easily. Nature is full of surprises.
Even now, I still wonder where they were going and how they all knew to move like that. Some scientists say it’s just a natural way they survive. Have you ever seen something like this in your yard—or do you know where a line of caterpillars might be going?