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Butterflies Drinking Tears From Turtle And Alligator Eyes Look Like A Scene From Disney
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Animals, Photography

Butterflies Drinking Tears From Turtle And Alligator Eyes Look Like A Scene From Disney

Julija Televičiūtė
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What you see before your very eyes is a phenomenon which is extremely hard to witness in nature. These amazing photographs feature Julia Butterflies (Dryas iulia) drinking the tears of turtles and alligators.

To your possible disappointment, these butterflies are not here to comfort the teary reptiles, but are here to feed on them. This phenomenon is called lachryphagy, which literally means “tear-feeding”, and, as cruel as it may sound, it is one of the ways that butterflies can get precious nutrition.

As reported by National Geographic, butterflies sip on tears to get sodium and other minerals which are needed for egg production and metabolism. While the mutual benefits are not yet proven, as long as the tear-providers are not too bothered, let the feast continue!

More info: National Geographic | h/t: laughingsquid, twistedsifter

Image credits: Ama la Vida

Image credits: Ama la Vida

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Image credits: Jeff Cremer

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Image credits: Jeff Cremer

Image credits: Unknown

Image credits: Michael Wang / Tora Adventure

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Julija Televičiūtė

Julija Televičiūtė

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Crazy in love with my sweet rescue pup https://www.instagram.com/rescueshepskybella/

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Julija Televičiūtė

Julija Televičiūtė

Author, Community member

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Crazy in love with my sweet rescue pup https://www.instagram.com/rescueshepskybella/

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MartaBravoLuna
MartaBravoLuna
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it is not to confort the reptiles but it is useful to get rid them from this secretion. Nature is amazingly regulated since wild beasts cannot consult a veterinary if they are having health troubles.

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curry8 avatar
BethCurry
BethCurry
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9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does anyone besides me see that this is photoshop?? I usually don't call this kind of thing out, but come on.....

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amyng avatar
AmyNg
AmyNg
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9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm no expert, but I have a feeling that the last crocodile one (bottom left) looks like photoshop. Not entirely sure about the rest, but some look kinda fake to me...

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mbravoluna avatar
MartaBravoLuna
MartaBravoLuna
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it is not to confort the reptiles but it is useful to get rid them from this secretion. Nature is amazingly regulated since wild beasts cannot consult a veterinary if they are having health troubles.

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curry8 avatar
BethCurry
BethCurry
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9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does anyone besides me see that this is photoshop?? I usually don't call this kind of thing out, but come on.....

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amyng avatar
AmyNg
AmyNg
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm no expert, but I have a feeling that the last crocodile one (bottom left) looks like photoshop. Not entirely sure about the rest, but some look kinda fake to me...

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