It may look kind, but it’s the salt in the tears they are
after.
It is thought it encourges them to breed.
The butterflies frequently flutter around the yellow
spotted river turtles in the Peruvian Amazon.
Jeff Cremer, 34, who runs wildlife photography tours at
Tambopata, said: “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.
“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.”