Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar

Spotted this large,ugly caterpillar in the garden this morning.Had to Google it,to find out what it is.Merlin was taking quite an interest,so I removed it to the front garden,away from him.
Many thanks for all your views,comments and favs,always much appreciated.

[elkehochban]

never seen anything like it! Wonder what the adult looks like?

[Lou Ann]

Oh my! I hope it doesn’t eat your plants. This is a new insect for me too.

[Babs]

Wow, how strange, never seen a caterpillar like this before.

[Beryl Lloyd]

Poor thing !! I wonder if he is off to the "Ugly bug Ball " :) great find and capture

[carol white]

@elkereturns. I had an elephant hawk-moth on my buddleia about 3 years ago, and managed to photograph it

[Pigeons Farm]

That's a big caterpillar :)

[FBailey]

Definitely a new one on me ... perhaps he relies on his lack of looks to keep the predators away

[Mave]

Hope the moth/butterfly is better looking!

[Henri Russell]

Oh my. I can certainly see where the name comes from. It looks prehistoric.

[Annika]

wow it looks amazing

[Suzanne]

I've just had to google the moth, thank goodness it gets prettier

[Dawn]

Wow amazing

[Julie Duncan]

So cool and so aptly named! Great shots! :)

[Denise Wood]

Terrific :)

[CC Folk]

I would have freaked out if I saw one of those, Carol! I am such a lightweight when it comes to bugs and insects! LOL!

[carol white]

@gardenfolk .It definitely wasn't pretty!! LOL!!

[Margo]

nice capture