ID needed please

Hi everyone
I found this creature in my garden during the summer, the kids screamed thinking we hada snake. ID needed please and whether its a friend or foe? Thanks in advance

 

The catapillar of the Elephant Hawk Moth.

 

I think they are SO cute. Here are my newborn ones ...

 

The adult moth is gorgeous as well! Caterpillar eats rosebay willowherb or fuschia

 

I once kept several of these beautiful caterpillers in a large plastic sweet jar. You could actually hear them munching away at the willowherb. They went ito their change and in time I was pleased and very happy to release them one night.

TIP. Willowherb is an enemy of fuchsias, rust is transmitted to the fuchsias.

 

Definitely a friend, we get them here quite a bit. I would willing share my Fuchsias with them . Beautiful!

elephant hawk-moth - Bing images

 

It's a bit sad for many of us. We often marvel at the butterflies and a few daytime flying moths. However. Moths are generally night fliers and so we miss out on them.

 

I don't have either here (that I know of) so I wonder what they ate in the orange orchards?