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This photograph series by Mark Cowan documents a phenomenon called 'lachryphagy' ("tear-feeding"). The caiman excretes salt in their tears & the butterflies need the precious minerals for their metabolism & reproduction.

So, they're feeding on crocodilian tears.

(📷: Mark Cowan, Curtin Uni.)

https://bsky.app/profile/c0nc0rdance.bsky.social/post/3lunfcndhfs2e

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[-] purpleworm@hexbear.net 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

What is that photo in the thread of a turtle-like thing? That's not a real animal, is it? It looks like a puppet.

Incidentally, beautiful photo, but I'm so brainrotted that when I saw the phrase "feeding on crocodile tears," I immediately thought of cable news.

this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2025
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