I Found Something Unbelievable Under My Car Seat… and It Turned Out to Be More Dangerous Than I Could’ve Imagined
It started like any other Saturday morning. I was finally getting around to cleaning out my car, tackling months’ worth of crumbs, spilled coffee, and random wrappers that had piled up over time. But as I reached under the back seat, my hand brushed against something that felt… off.
At first, I thought it was just a dry, brittle piece of a plant—something that might have blown in through the window or stuck to someone’s shoe. Its brownish color and flaky texture made me think it was just a forgotten leaf or a dead piece from one of my mom’s houseplants. I almost left it there.
But something about it caught my attention. The texture was odd—stiffer than any plant stem—and the way it curled seemed unlike anything I’d ever seen before. I thought it might be some leftover craft material, maybe something my niece had dropped—like dried clay or a decorative twig from an old art project.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling to take a closer look. Curiosity won out, and I carefully picked it up, turning it over in my hand. That’s when I saw it—tiny, hair-like spines covering its surface. They looked soft at first, almost like fuzz. But a chill ran through me, as I suddenly remembered reading about dangerous insects and plants that could be hiding in everyday places.
I wasn’t about to risk touching it directly again. Grabbing a tissue, I carefully placed it in a plastic bag and snapped a few photos. Then, I started Googling. What I found made my stomach drop.
It wasn’t a plant at all—it was the shed skin of a Lonomia caterpillar, one of the most venomous creatures on the planet. Native to South America but sometimes found in imported goods or even transported unknowingly in vehicles, this caterpillar is a master of disguise. It can look like tree bark, dried leaves, or random debris. And even its shed skin can be dangerous, as the spines may still contain traces of venom.
The venom of the Lonomia caterpillar is no joke. It contains toxins that prevent blood from clotting, causing internal bleeding, organ damage, and even death in severe cases. Just brushing against it can release venomous spines into your skin, and inhaling particles could cause respiratory issues or worse.
I couldn’t believe it. The thought that such a deadly little creature—or even just its remains—had been lurking under my back seat for who knows how long sent a shiver down my spine. How it got there, I have no idea. Maybe it hitched a ride on something my family brought into the car, or maybe it came from a park or wooded area where I had parked.
I immediately called pest control, explained what I had found, and sent them the photos. They confirmed the identification and came to remove it safely. They even inspected the car to make sure there were no others hiding in there.
It was a wake-up call. We tend to think of dangerous wildlife as something that only exists in remote forests or far-off countries, but the reality is that danger can show up in the most unexpected places.
Now, when I clean my car or house, I’m much more cautious about picking up anything I don’t recognize right away. I keep gloves handy and make sure I never lean in too close to something strange.
What I found that morning could’ve just been another piece of trash—but instead, it was a harsh reminder that being cautious and aware could save you from a much worse fate.
I’ll explain exactly what it was and why it’s so dangerous in the first comment below 👇👇