LOOK: Scientists discover real-life Totoro Catbus

^{Eoperipatus totoro (L) meets its fictional counterpart, the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro.}
 

A new species of multi-legged velvet worm, discovered in Vietnam just last year, was found to bear a striking resemblance to the Catbus from the animated movie My Neighbor Totoro—so much so, in fact, that scientists decided to name it Eoperipatus totoro.

 

E. totoro can only be found in the Cát Tiên National Park in Vietnam, and was discovered by researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre. It can grow up to 2.5 inches in length and is covered in uniquely shaped hairs. Like other velvet worms, it spits out a sticky glue-like material that it uses to immobilize its prey.

 

My Neighbor Totoro is a Japanese animated movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli in 1988. The story focuses on sisters Satsuki and Mei as they befriend the eponymous woodland spirit Totoro. Though a relatively minor character in the movie, Catbus was a huge fan favorite and has since become an iconic member of Studio Ghibli's long cast of characters.

 

— TJD, GMA News