The Woolly Bear Caterpillar is the larval form of an Isabella tiger moth, scientifically known as Pyrrharctia isabella, and is easily recognizable by its distinctive black-orange-black color pattern. Mythically said to predict winter's length by its interior orange band, the woolly bear emerges in fall, hibernates through winter and transforms in spring. And unlike some other fuzzy caterpillars, the woolly bear's completely safe to pick up for a closer look.