Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I went to the liberty science center with my step daughter school and a teacher found whats looks like a polyphemus moth. I did a search and the pic looks the same its large, brown with blue like eye spots. can anyone tell me how to take care of it they have it at the school in a small critter keeper. We figured it must have escaped from the science center it looks really nice so I want to make sure they know how to care for it.

Hi - they are pretty impressive, huh?

These moths do not feed as adults and keeping it in a critter keeper is not fair to it If it is a male he will try to fly at night and will batter his wings. If it is a female she needs to go out and find a mate to carry on her family (as does the male). They only live for 5-7 days (give or take). So out of fairness to the moth, and to make a point about conservation to the children , it would be best to release it. They fly at night so later in the day the better. Less chance of it becoming bird food. I sometimes have a few neighborhood kids over when I do releases - it's fun and inspiring to watch this beautiful creature take wing

lele

>>I went to the liberty science center with my step daughter school and a teacher found whats looks like a polyphemus moth. I did a search and the pic looks the same its large, brown with blue like eye spots. can anyone tell me how to take care of it they have it at the school in a small critter keeper. We figured it must have escaped from the science center it looks really nice so I want to make sure they know how to care for it.