Butterflies and Turtle Tears

Butterflies in Western Amazon Rainforests have been seen hovering about turtles eyes. It is said that they are drinking the turtles tears. They don't appear to harm the turtles in any way because they are so gentle, although they do make it difficult for the turtles to see.

Above photo via livescience by Jeff Cremer

Why drink tears?

Scientists are still trying to learn more about why butterflies are drinking turtle tears and how it may affect the turtles. I read that the region where this has been observed is very low in salt one reason for this is that it is a long way from the ocean. I also read butterflies need sodium for egg development and this may be one of the reasons they are attracted to turtle tears. Turtle tears may also contain other things that are important to the butterflies such as amino acids. Butterflies are not the only insects who have been observed drinking turtle tears, bees have also been seen doing it too.

Butterfly and turtle tears

Below is a short clip from youtube of a butterfly 'drinking' turtle tears.

Butterfly, bee and crocodile tears

Butterflies and bees have also been spotted drinking/absorbing the tears of crocodiles!

Links for further reading

You can read more about butterflies drinking turtle tears here on the national geographic website.

Learn about butterflies is a website about butterflies and moths.