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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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[-] Carl@hexbear.net 12 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

It looks to me like the croc is laughing.

croc-pog "It tickles!"

this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2025
83 points (100.0% liked)

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