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# Monarch Butterfly - Is It Dangerous? | Mind of Animals

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# Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Poisonousinsects

1 Totally safe danger 1 out of 5

Monarch Butterfly

Photo by Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (GFDL 1.2) via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monarch_Butterfly_Danaus_plexippus_Male_2664px.jpg)

## What you should know

Perfectly safe to be near, but poisonous to eat, which is the whole trick it uses to survive.

## Whoa

The caterpillar eats milkweed and stores the poison in its own body, so birds learn to leave it completely alone.

## Staying safe around it

This one is poisonous. Look, do not touch. Ask a grown-up and call a vet.

**Always ask a grown-up before you touch any animal or plant.** If something bites or stings you, tell an adult right away.

Source: [our source list](/mind-of-animals/#sources)

Read more about the monarch butterfly at [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly).

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