This is the white-marked tussock moth caterpillar! of the Lymantridae family, cousin of the infamous gypsy moth.
Orgyia leucostigma is about two inches long from fuzzy tan tail to fuzzy black antennae hairs, with the four light-colored puffs on its back followed by two red dots with an amazing array of side hairs sprouting all over. There are many reports that the hairs may cause a reaction if touched by humans, but I didn't try touching this one. The adult moth of this species is extremely bland, just a tan and brown, and they don't have mouth parts and so don't eat anything. The females don't even have wings: they simply climb on their cocoons, send out pheromones, mate shortly, and lay their eggs right on the empty cocoon before dying. The caterpillars are lively though, and their curious colors are a lot of fun if you can find one.
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