Does Anyone Have A Tissue? Incredible Image Of Butterflies Wiping Away A Turtle’s Tears

When we’re upset, we usually just wipe away our tears with a tissue but when turtles are upset, they like to make a statement.

This incredible picture shows a swarm of butterflies wiping away the tears of a spotted river turtle in the Peruvian Amazon.

It looks like a kind act between two different species, however the butterflies are doing it for selfish purposes. Apparently the butterflies just love the taste of salt water and it is believed the tangy water encourages them to breed.

The butterflies love the taste of salty water

“Being so far from the Atlantic, this side of the Amazon lacks the availability of salt. So odd behaviours pop up – including drinking the tears of turtles basking in the sun,” said Jeff Cremer, who runs wildlife photography tours on the world famous river.

“If one butterfly is feeding, its bright colours invite other butterflies as well. Bees also feed on turtle eyes, which seems to really bother the turtles, but they don’t appear to mind the butterflies as much. Butterflies in this area will do anything for salt, including drinking from your sweaty skin or backpack,” he added.

We think we’ll stick to a box of tissues the next time we need to mop up our tears...