It's a cocoon of one of the big moths, Michael, probably a cecropia moth, if my memory of what a cecropia cocoon looks like is accurate. You can't find a more beautiful and/or impressive moth than this one!

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Sherry

That is so cool Michael! Contain that thing and snap a pic when the moth emerges!

How should I handle the object in the picture in order to keep the critter inside from getting away yet keep it safe from harm while containerizing it? A qt. Mason Jar with a lid that has been perforated for ventilation, temps. to maintain, max. and min.? Right now it is out of the sun on the porch where temps. are currently ranging from about 75 - 30 deg. F. Any guesses how long it will be before the creature begins emerging and how long it will take to emerge once it starts.

I sure hope it is a beauty!

Michael, a mason jar is far too small to containerize a big moth. When moths emerge, they have to have some space and a rough surface that they can climb on to hang upside down while the fluids go from their bodies - which are huge when they first emerge - to their wings. Their wings gradually harden as they hang upside down. Is your porch screened? If so, it'd be fine there. Have you got a fairly big plastic tub? You could put sticks and other stable objects in it for the moth to climb on and cover the top of it with bridal veil type material that you attach to the top with clothes pins or something like that.
I'm pretty sure you've got a cecropia there, in which case it WILL be beautiful! Cecropias are once a year moths, and mine have emerged pretty late, like in early summer. If it's some other type of moth with multiple generations each year, it will probably emerge earlier in the spring.
Sherry