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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!"

[-] SorosFootSoldier@hexbear.net 11 points 1 week ago

I need a moment croc-pog

Nooo we needs the delicious tearssssss :insect:

[-] 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.

[-] take_five_moments@hexbear.net 8 points 1 week ago

xX_t34r_Dr1nK3R_Xx

[-] StarkWolf@hexbear.net 6 points 1 week ago

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

[-] Maeve@kbin.earth 5 points 1 week ago

Those photos brought me great joy. Thank you.

[-] Seasonal_Peace@hexbear.net 4 points 1 week ago

He’s just shedding crocodile tears to get sympathy.

[-] sexywheat@hexbear.net 4 points 1 week ago

Nacho chip nose havin lookin ass

[-] synae@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 1 week ago

Wow, awesome shots

And they have serious meme potential

[-] hellinkilla@hexbear.net 3 points 1 week 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)

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