- Photographer Konrad Wothe captured the amazing scenes in Brazil
- He said the Julia Butterfly extracts minerals from the caiman’s nostrils
- Mr Wothe said he has even seen butterflies feeding from a caiman’s eyes
- Scientists in Costa Rica have identified certain bees who feed similarly
Darren Boyle for MailOnline
View
comments
This bright orange butterfly risked an instant death feeding on a eight-foot long caiman to feed on minerals coming out of the reptile’s
Wildlife photographer Konrad Wothe, 63, was in Pantanal, Mato Grosso in Brazil when he captured the unbelievable sight.
The Julia Butterfly landed on the caiman’s snout and began to gorge itself on the reptile’s nasal excretions.
The Julia Butterfly, right, fed on the nasal excretions of the caiman beside a Brazilian river
Photographer Konrad Wothe said the caiman did not seemed bothered by the brightly-coloured butterfly
Mr Wothe, of Penzberg, in Bavaria, Germany, said: ‘Butterflies need minerals, and they can find them either on humid soil or in the tear fluid and what comes out of the nostrils of a caiman.
‘I have seen butterflies suckling at the eyes and nostrils of caimans and also of water turtles so these animals seem to be used to the colourful visitors and stop taking too much notice.
-
Cat’s amazing! Kittens born with 26 toes EACH – two more…
Hello world! Stunning pictures capture moment polar bear cub…
‘The caiman just ignored the insect as it suckled.’
Scientists in Costa Rica have also found that bees as well as butterflies sip tears – and other moisture – from the spectacled caiman to obtain minerals and salt.
Spectacled caimans can grow up to eight feet in length and can weigh anything from seven-40kg.
Share or comment on this article
-
Ed Miliband takes a mini-tumble after his ‘Question Time’…
-
Amanda Holden’s sister in Nepal speaks to This Morning
-
Stephanie Curwen lets her dog viciously attack a cat to…
-
Tom Hardy as the infamous Kray twins in teaser for ‘Legend’
-
Shocking moment people are trapped under collapsing…
-
Shocking moment pram nearly rolls into traffic during…
-
Amal Clooney calls for release of former Maldives president
-
Toddler does hilarious impression of mum’s pregnant walk
-
Busted! Amanda Holden caught fibbing by human lie detector
-
Two dead and two injured in theme park accident in China
-
GRAPHIC: Body cam captures moment dog bites man in face
-
Lifelong pals! Pancake and Dayo the puppy and cheetah cub
-
The woman who shredded Red Ed: How marketing company boss…
-
The night real voters finally had their say: Audience roasts…
-
From sporty smiling youngster to Britain’s fattest man: How…
-
Hundreds of STRANGERS turn out for funeral of the baby with…
-
The refugees forbidden from setting foot on land – so they…
-
Cricket star Graeme Smith’s wife reveals heartache of…
-
Ed stumbles through TV debate: Miliband TRIPS as he leaves…
-
Revealed: Bentley-driving playboy behind controversial Beach…
-
How Britain’s fattest woman – weighing 55 stone – was…
-
Mother hanged herself after row with ‘jealous’ boyfriend…
-
ISIS carries out one of its worst executions yet, as…
-
Suicide mother’s rapist watched porn then attacked: Victim,…
Comments (0)
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Who is this week’s top commenter?
Find out now
