{"id":2028,"date":"2024-03-07T19:23:59","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T19:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xstorynews.com\/?p=2028"},"modified":"2024-03-07T19:23:59","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T19:23:59","slug":"mom-sees-her-kids-with-little-furry-animal-in-park-looks-closer-and-realizes-big-danger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xstorynews.com\/?p=2028","title":{"rendered":"Mom sees her kids with little furry animal in park \u2013 looks closer and realizes big danger"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For centuries, humans have developed instincts and, above all, gained the knowledge to know which animals and other creatures to keep away from. Although most wildlife is completely harmless to us humans, it is important to be on alert when you are out in nature.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

That\u2019s what mother Leslie Howe did when she was at a small park with her family.<\/p>\n

It had so far been an ordinary day out with the kids \u2014 but then she caught sight of a strange furry creature shaped like a ball, reports\u00a0USA Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For centuries, humans have developed instincts and, above all, gained the knowledge to know which animals and other creatures to keep away from. Although most wildlife is completely harmless to us humans, it is important to be on alert when you are out in nature.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s what mother Leslie Howe did when she was at a small park with her family.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back in 2014, Leslie, a mother from Georgia, discovered something strange close to her children at their local playground.<\/p>\n

\u201dFeels like a wasp sting, but worse\u201d<\/h2>\n

Leslie was in the park in Gwinnett County, Georgia, with her baby and two other young children when the \u201dfur ball\u201d caught her attention. It was small and at first sight looked unassuming and harmless, but she instinctively felt the need to stay away. While this story was first reported a few years ago, it\u2019s been spreading online again to help warn all American parents of the danger.<\/p>\n

What lay under the fur which was indeed dangerous, and since that day Leslie hopes her story can help warn others to stay clear of the suspect fur ball:\u00a0a Megalopyge Opercularis larva, better known as the puss caterpillar.<\/p>\n

The name is probably in reference to the caterpillar\u2019s resemblance to a cat\u2019s soft fur. But despite its harmless exterior, the insect contains poison that it can inject. It\u2019s covered in hair that disguises toxic bristles.<\/p>\n

These larvae, who can grow to a little over 1 inch long,\u00a0are found in much of the United States. According to\u00a0NPR,<\/a>\u00a0they could be found \u201dfeasting on foliage in states between New Jersey and Florida and as far west as Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n

The puss caterpillar\u2019s sting is brutal and it should never be touched. Doing so could cause them to stick to you and inject you with their venom.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the unusual and mysterious caterpillar here:<\/strong><\/p>\n