The Atlas moth is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and is common across the Malay archipelago. Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In Hong Kong the Cantonese name translates as "snake's head moth", referring to the apical extension of the forewing, which bears a more than passing resemblance to a snake's head.

The wings of moths in the genus g. Attacus resemble snakes and if threatened may drop to the ground and thrash around like a snake uncoiling, or else feign death and attempt to blend in with the ground (Peigler 1983). Furthermore, since predators, especially birds, tend to attack the circular spots and the elongated sections of the wings, the moth can escape from an attack with its body intact and retain the ability to fly even with large amounts of wing damage

Attacus atlas is primarily found in tropical and subtropical rainforests (Peigler, 1983). These forests do not have four seasons, but rather a dry and a wet season. They are characterized by closed canopies, broad-leafed evergreen trees, and temperatures approaching but not exceeding 25°C. The moths spend the majority of their lives on a single tree: laid on the leaves as eggs, eating the leaves as larvae, pupating off the branches, and resting in wait for a male mate as an adult female

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