The Mary T. and
Frank L. Hoffman
Family Foundation
and All-Creatures.Org

Letters and Responses

Hi!

My daughter, Kayla who is 3 years old, and I found a wooly bear on our front step. She wants to keep it in a jar in her room but I told her we need to find out about them. As your site has shown us, they are highly visible this time of the year. From what I have found, they spend the winter outside in a hibernation like state. Is this true? If so, will keeping it in our house harm it and cause it to turn into a moth well before it would outdoors? My daughter is a very young advocate for the well being of all of God's creatures, bug life in particular seems to be her primary interest, so I believe she will understand if it's not a good idea and will harm "Harry" as she's named him.

Thank you for your time!

Reply from Frank and Mary Hoffman

Dear Emily:

We're not caterpillar experts, but being indoors in a jar would not be very good for Harry. Harry needs to eat properly before he builds a cocoon. Please tell Kayla that if she loves him, it is best to let him be free to change into a beautiful moth in the springtime, and in the meantime she can keep looking for Harry and his many brothers and sisters.

In the Love of the Lord,

Frank and Mary

Return to Letters