What is this?!?!Would love to keep it if it's fair

[xxSarahxx]

Ok... so found this on my car this morning and rapidly put him into my spare (and dry!!) isolation tank that wasn't in use (I have three other isolation tanks up and running at the moment!!)
I work with two children at the moment and they have named it Cecil (bless them!) and want me to keep it so they can see it everyday...etc. I actually think it would be a great learning experience for them. I'd love to keep it through the caterpillar/cocoon/butterfly/moth stage!However, I don't know what it is and therefore don't know what it eats, etc!!
Any ideas would be great! If I know what it is I can google it but just need ID as I can't find anything that might be it as of yet!
He's cute and very furry. The pic is blurry (I'm hoping to buy a digital camera tomorow!!) If this is not clear enough I'll try again. Any ideas please!!! Although if it isn't going to be possible to eep him for humane reasons then the girls I look after can release him with me tomorrow! Thanks guys!

P.S. He curled up when I moved him for the picture before this he's been wriggling around!

 

[black angel]

found this for hairy caterpillars
http/www.javajane.co.uk/Hairy/index.html

 

[xxSarahxx]

That one might be a bit better!
He's got a big brown head....yellow spikes, white dots all along his back which are outlined in red!
He looks scary....works very well..if I was a bird I wouldn't try and eat him!
EDIT - Photos

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

Caterpillars eat TONS and TONS of Milkweed! The only reason I know this is because my daughters class each raised one last year and released them to migrate to Mexico. (Hers made it about 20 feet, ran into a tree and died )

 

[MAM]

Once you figure out what kind it is and what it eats, search around on the web. I know a lot of teachers will do projects for their classes using caterpillars and caring for them until they become moths or butterflies, then releasing them, so their students can see the process first hand. You should be able to find some of these projects on line and how they did them so you could do the same for the kids you work with.

 

[SarahBravo]

Also, just as a tip, some hairy caterpillers can release a) their hairs, or B) a chemical spray. Both are very irritating to skin and eyes - so be careful when putting your hand in his tank to feed him. Maybe wear gloves just to be on the safe side?

 

[3fsh]

Wherever you found him is most likely where his food source was. Caterpillers eat 12/7 until they spin cocoons... so they are usually on the plant that they eat for most of their lives. Try putting different leaves in with him from the plants in a small perimeter around where he was found. (Probably 10-20ft or so.)

 

[xxSarahxx]

He was on my car in the middle of a bare car park!! No plants within that radious. I've tried him with cucumber but that didn't go well. I'm worried that if he doesn't eat soon he won't survive so may give up and let him go. It would be a shame though and I'm not sure the kids would be happy!!
Black Angel.....thanks for the link but none of them matched! Thanks for trying though!

 

[black angel]

I think i found it

http/www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/AcroAceris.htm

 

[xxSarahxx]

Black Angel!! MWAH!!!!
I think that's it! Wonderfu! I shall go on the hunt for food for the little guy!!
I'm a bonsai tree enthusiast so have loads I'm sure I could steal a few leaves from!
EDIT:
P.S. Wh yis it that such gorgeous caterpillars turn into very plain moths?!?!

 

[SarahBravo]

Hey, he is a cutie isn't he! I went into Vidal Sassoon once and came out with a haircut like that! Same colours too!

go get that camera tomorrow and take loads of pics of him!

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

Caterpillars eat TONS and TONS of Milkweed! The only reason I know this is because my daughters class each raised one last year and released them to migrate to Mexico. (Hers made it about 20 feet, ran into a tree and died )

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im sorry but when i read the end part i laughed lol )

catapillars eat tons and tons of vegetation until they're ready to morph

you hav eto figure out what you have and go from there, it does look rather interesting though

 

[black angel]

It says sycamore, so i would try and find a sycamore tree.
heres a pic of a tree and leaf to help identify one. Keep him in a really big jar or a kritter keeper and make sure theres plenty of holes. Or as he isnt going to change into a fabulous buterfly, release him into a tree.
http/www.domtar.com/arbre/english/p_plocc.htm

 

[xxSarahxx]

Thanks to my bonsai trees and my knowledge of trees Cecil has been munching on salix, acer, and other leaves all night. He's quite happy. Thanks for you help all! I'll post pictures as he develops for your interest!!

 

[BrookeLea]

I'm glad you found out how to take care of him! I bet the kids will love watching him change!