Crocodilian tears bring fellow sunbathers together

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From http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2016/09/a-caiman-covered-in-butterflies-photographed-by-mark-cowan/

A Caiman Wearing a Crown of Butterflies Photographed by Mark Cowan
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
CHRISTOPHER JOBSON

While traveling through the Amazon to study reptile and amphibian diversity with the Herpetology Division at the University of Michigan, photographer Mark Cowan happened upon a strange sight: a caiman whose head was nearly covered in butterflies. The phenomenon itself isn’t particularly unusual, salt is critical to the survival of many creatures like butterflies and bees who sometimes drink tears from reptiles in regions where the mineral is scarce (we’ve seen the same thing happen with turtles). What made this sight so unusual was seeing the butterflies organize themselves into three different species groups atop the caiman’s head.

Uh, also, that side eye!
...

More at link.

[hlthe2b]

1. Amazing...

[Floyd R. Turbo]

2. Cool!

[lame54]

3. looks pretty enough to pet

[Yavin4]

4. That croc knew it was being photographed.

So vain.

[Fla Dem]

5. I love nature and its beauty. Great photo, but

the article's author, Christopher Jobson said;

"What made this sight so unusual was seeing the butterflies organize themselves into three different species groups atop the caiman’s head."

Actually there are 4 species. There is a single butterfly different than the other 3 groups, located below and to the left of the alligator's eye and below the orange butterfly.

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6. Good eye! n/t

[PufPuf23]

7. What a pretty girl with a nice smile.

Goes to show one does not need perfect teeth to be attractive.

Hope she has a Republican for lunch!

[mysteryowl]

8. This makes me smile and chuckle with delight. Thanks!

[kairos12]

9. Those butterflies caiman into land on a wonderful spot.

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10. Oh, that's bad.

I like it!