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Ammon News - Twitter user leaves people baffled after a photo of a trio of threatening snakes is revealed to be nothing more than a harmless moth using a disguise.

A photo appearing to be three angry looking snakes has left people baffled as it is revealed to be nothing more than a gentle insect.

Twitter user Rob Allam, who goes by the name @thegallowboob, shared three images of the 'snakes' in order to reveal all is not as it seems.

It turns out the trio of 'snakes' is actually nothing more than a single moth.

The Attacus Atlas, also known as Atlas Moth, is one of the largest known lepidoptera, the insect species that includes butterflies and moths.

Along with the photos, Rob tweeted: "Attacus Atlas is one of the largest butterflies in the world and lives only for two weeks with one goal in their adult stage – lay eggs and defend them until they hatch while disguised as a snake."

Despite the revelation, most users could still not believe their eyes and even questioned if there must be at least one snake in the picture.

One user said: "Without zooming in and reading, I thought this was a 'look, I saved this butterfly from the snake attack' kind of photos. That disguise is really good."

While another said: "How's that top one not an actual snake? This moth would live longer if it didn't look like I wanted to beat it with a broom."

Most others commented of their shock after taking a couple of glances while praising how good the disguise is.

According to the National History Museum, When the moth is threatened, it will "drop to the floor and writhe around, slowly flapping its wings to imitate snake head" to scare away predators.

Although mostly found in Asia, a sighting of a giant Atlas moth was reported in the UK in 2012.

As reported by BBC at the time, the moth was found on a windowsill in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester.

It is believed this particular moth had been part of a collection and had escaped.

*dailystar