83

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

top 12 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] Carl@hexbear.net 12 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

It looks to me like the croc is laughing.

croc-pog "It tickles!"

[-] SorosFootSoldier@hexbear.net 11 points 6 days ago

I need a moment croc-pog

Nooo we needs the delicious tearssssss :insect:

[-] purpleworm@hexbear.net 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days 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.

[-] take_five_moments@hexbear.net 8 points 6 days ago

xX_t34r_Dr1nK3R_Xx

[-] StarkWolf@hexbear.net 6 points 6 days ago

So this is how crinkle-cut potato chips get their salt?

[-] sexywheat@hexbear.net 4 points 6 days ago

Nacho chip nose havin lookin ass

[-] Maeve@kbin.earth 5 points 6 days ago

Those photos brought me great joy. Thank you.

[-] synae@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 6 days ago

Wow, awesome shots

And they have serious meme potential

[-] Seasonal_Peace@hexbear.net 4 points 6 days ago

He’s just shedding crocodile tears to get sympathy.

[-] hellinkilla@hexbear.net 3 points 6 days ago

Its a very cute photo especially because the lizard looks like smiling. but can you imagine how annoying it feels to have butterflies drinking our of your eyeballs!! Not dangerous enough to evoke selection pressure toward a method of dislodging them so the poor lizard is doomed to endure for eternity.

(Unless there was an eyeball disease spread by butterflies maybe)

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

Earth

13092 readers
32 users here now

The world’s #1 planet!

A community for the discussion of the environment, climate change, ecology, sustainability, nature, and pictures of cute wild animals.

Socialism is the only path out of the global ecological crisis.

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS