Incredible photo captures bee that survives by sucking up a turtle’s tears for the first time ever



Incredible pictures show bee sucking up turtle's tears

Believed to be the first time the phenomenon has been witnessed

The bees absorb nutrients and salt through the unusual process



These incredible pictures show a crying turtle having its tears wiped away - by a thirsty bee.

The endangered yellow-spotted river turtle cannot easily brush the salty liquid away, while the solitary bee needs sodium in its diet.

It is believed to be the first time this incredible natural phenomenon has been caught on film and was captured by Dr Oliver Dangles, 39, in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador.

Incoming: A solitary bee drinks the tears from a yellow-spotted river turtle in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

Breakthrough: The picture is believed to be the first time the phenomenon has been witnessed

He said: 'Sodium is an essential nutrient for the survival and reproduction of living organisms. It helps maintain blood volume, regulates the balance of water in the cells, and keeps nerves functioning.

'Plentiful in the oceans, this element is in short supply on land, especially in plants. Many terrestrial animals that depend on plants therefore crave sodium.'

The French ecologist, who has been living in South America for seven years, has long studied the animals of the Amazon.

He said some species of butterflies have specialised in tear-feeding, mainly on placid animals such as deer, crocodiles and sleeping birds which cannot easily remove their own.



In addition to sodium, tears also contain proteins that could represent a high-quality resource throughout the year, he added.

Feed: The bee gets essential salt and proteins from the turtle's tears

Symbiotic: A number of animals in the region indulge in the mutually-beneficial behaviour

At risk: The yellow-spotted river turtle is endangered

Dr Dangles took the photographs as part of a book on the biodiversity of Ecuador, one of the most bio-diverse habitats in the world.

He slowly waded waist-deep into a river full of caiman - small crocodile-type creatures - to get close to the shy turtle.

He added: 'While I was shooting, the bee came started to feed on the turtle's tears.



'To our knowledge this series of photographs is the first to document tear-feeding behaviour by solitary bees on river turtles.'



