How to Care for Moth Caterpillars

Believe it or not, caterpillars make great pets. They make excellent pets for children, too, as well as provide them with a learning experience. Moth caterpillars are easy to care for and fun to watch grow. They are also inexpensive pets to have. They are fragile, though, and require gentle handling. Children, as well as adults, will find it exciting to watch a caterpillar transform before their eyes.

Things You'll Need

  • Jar or container
  • Dirt
  • Water
  • Twigs
  • Mesh screen
  • Rubber band
  • Leaves
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Instructions

  1. How to Care for a Moth Caterpillar

    • 1

      Find a jar or container just large enough for the caterpillar and its food. Nothing fancy is required. A tiny aquarium or a gallon-sized jar should suffice.

    • 2

      Cover the bottom of your jar with a couple of inches of dirt. Pour just enough water onto your dirt to make it fairly moist.

    • 3

      Place a couple of twigs inside your jar. Lean at least one of them against the side of the jar, giving your caterpillar a way to climb.

    • 4

      Place various types of leaves inside the jar. Try to use leaves from where you found the caterpillar. This leaf would probably be the correct food for your caterpillar. You may have to try different types of leaves, though.

    • 5

      Fill a separate small jar with water. Place the stems of the leaves in the water to keep the leaves fresh between caterpillar feedings.

    • 6

      Cover the top of the jar that houses the caterpillar with a mesh screen, securing it tightly with a rubber band.