On a sunny day at Gwinnett County Park, Leslie Howe and her three kids spotted a tiny, furry creature that looked harmless—even cute. The children wanted to touch it, but Leslie told them to just watch.
It turned out to be a Puss Caterpillar, one of the most venomous caterpillars in the U.S. Beneath its soft fuzz are stinging hairs that can cause painful rashes and irritation.
Found in parts of Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and other southern states, these caterpillars often lure in curious kids. Experts urge families to admire them from a distance—proof that not everything fuzzy is safe to touch.
