The journey begins…

Our journey started with a Monarch plant. One day, a butterfly came passing by…. and started to lay some eggs.

From there came some teeny, tiny, caterpillars. They ate their milkweed, and grew and grew and grew. Once they were ready, they climbed to the top of their home (our enclosure) and started to spin their silky substance from which to hang from.

When the time was right, they started to form a J-shape…it’s getting closer!

If you’ve never seen a caterpillar turn into its chrysalis, it is such a sight to behold! They look like they are snuggling up into a cozy sleeping bag for a nice rest. (More about the science in another post!)

Once they completely enclose, they wither around and dry into their final chrysalis form. For a Monarch, they are in this state for around 8 days later and usually in the early morning they will hatch into a beautiful…errrr…wrinkly blob of paper?!?! Don’t fret, they eventually unfold and become a beautifully flat-winged butterfly hanging from the chrysalis from which they were just hatched. What’s really happening is that the butterfly is drying its wings and will soon be ready to fly!

Pro Tip: While the hatching of a butterfly happens very fast, at least for the Monarch, there is a tell. The chrysalis will become transparent very soon before emerging!

Pro Tip: The growing caterpillars also need a lot of Milkweed to eat! Do not underestimate the amount that is necessary!

It’s a magical sight and one that everyone should get to see at least once in their life!

“Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she began to fly.” — Unknown