The discovery of a new life form on Earth is always incredibly exciting — especially when so many creatures are sadly diminishing and even going extinct.
But it's even more exciting when that creature is so insanely adorable that the people can't even believe it's real — like this unbelievably sweet ocean creature.
But when it comes to surprisingly cute creatures, nothing tops the famed Venezuelan Poodle Moth, so called because of its resemblance to a fluffy, white poodle.
Discovered in Gran Sabana National Park in Venezuela in 2009 by Dr. Arthur Anker of Kyrgyzstan, the poodle moth has quickly gained Internet fame due to its cuteness.
But there was just one burning question: Is it real?
As it turns out, yes! But the poodle moth has yet to be classified, as not enough research has been done to determine its taxonomy and Latin name.
Until then, check out this adorable moth, and some of the other adorable moths that are routinely mistaken for it.
What do you think of this little moth? Let us know in the comments below!
(h/t: My Modern Met, Wikipedia, Snopes)
This was one of the earliest photos of the poodle moth to hit the Internet.
Naturally, people were fascinated, but there was, at the time, so little information that people didn't know whether or not to believe it!
The photos were taken by one Dr. Arthur Anker in Venezuela, and the mysterious creature became known, colloquially, as the "Venezuelan Poodle Moth." You can probably guess why!
However, others decried it as a hoax.
In reality, there are several species of moth that have a distinctively fuzzy look, including the one above — the Muslin Moth.
Soon, people all over the world were uploading images of "poodle moths" — but they were actually just other furry-looking species.
Which goes to show you that there could be unexpected cuteness hiding right under your nose!
Another species that was often confused for the poodle moth was the domesticated "silkmoth," whose fibers provide silk used in clothing and textiles. They're also super-cute!
Although they look similar, the silkmoth (seen above) and the poodle moth are not the same.
Right now, so little is known about the poodle moth that it doesn't yet have a Latin name, nor has its relation to other moths been mapped.
But hopefully, we'll be seeing more of this adorable little bug and knowing more about it!
If you didn't know moths could be this cute, please SHARE so that the cuteness can spread!
