Challenging life of The Woolly Bear!

The Challenging life of The Woolly Bear!

 I saw this furry creature right in the middle of my path on my way back from school tonight. As it was a cold evening of mid-September, I couldn't help wondering what this caterpillar was up to as was it definitely much too late and too cold for caterpillars to be wandering around! I couldn't but feel sorry for the poor late fellow... 
Since it wasn't the first time that I saw this particular kind of a colourful caterpillar, I decided to find out what this furry guy's name was after all, and to learn something about him as well!

Well, the name of this creature is Woolly Bear. The moth that it turns into is an Isabella Tiger moth, which does not look too spectacular, and after transforming into it,  it only lives for another few days. It's life in the form of the caterpillar, the Wooly Bear, however is rather remarkable! Consider for yourself: 

"The Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) can be found in many cold regions, including the Arctic. The banded Woolly Bear larva emerges from the egg in the fall and overwinters in its caterpillar form, when it literally freezes solid. It survives being frozen by producing a cryiprotectant in its tissues. In the spring it thaws out and emerges to pupate. Once it emerges from its pupa as a moth it has only days to find a mate." Moreover--  “[While] in most temperate climates, caterpillars become moths within months of hatching, in the Arctic the summer period for vegetative growth—and hence feeding—is so short that the Woody Bear must feed for several summers, freezing again each winter before finally pupating. Some are known to live through as many as 14 winters.” (!)
--Now I see why it was wondering around so calmly, in the middle of fall... The little Wooly Bear is not afraid of challenges!