The barbs are fairly stiff. I mean, I don't worry about impaling myself or anything. I haven't broken any skin on them. They do have some flexibility but they aren't soft like the tubercles on Pipevine or Polydamas caterpillars. My bosses are really enjoying the Hickory Horned Devils, too. One of them posted a picture on Facebook of one on her jeans from the MOSI staff meeting and asked, "What do you bring to your staff meetings? Paper and pen?" Which I thought was pretty funny. Caterpillars are way more fun.
When the cats get in their final instar they're supposed to be able to make a rattling noise that scares predators, but I haven't heard them do it yet. I want to hear it! I keep wondering what they have that would make that noise in the first place? May need to Google that one.
