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These surprising photos show masses of butterflies interacting with various animals. But why do they do it, especially with such risk to themselves?
One answer is that butterflies typically swarm during migration, and these pictures capture such a moment. The other answer is that butterflies can't get all the minerals they need from flowers, so they are attracted to salty things.
In many cultures, butterflies represent the soul or the mind for the more mythologically minded. The Chinese, Greeks, and Romans believed this to be true. In Japan, however, while the symbolism is the same, one butterfly indicates an upcoming visit from your loved one, but a large number is viewed as a bad omen.
Do you have any incredible photos of butterflies in the wild? Post your pictures or vote on your favorite below.
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#1
Cat And Butterfly
LaniShepard 9 years ago
That is an amazing photograph. It's one of those moments when you just happen to be in the right place at the right time with your camera.
StephenWhite 10 years ago
i think the butterfly might have been put on after ... i don't know many cats that would allow a butterfly on the nose
HeidiHutchingsKays 10 years ago
Ive seen this same image with a different background - photshopped?
MartinaVeselá 10 years ago
I think it's photoshopped too. Cats go after anything that moves, the butterfly would be dead before it could touch the cat.
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#2
Cat Playing With Butterflies
Stephen-RaineGoates 10 years ago
He's killled like ten of them , In the first pic theres one like crushed under his front leg .
OttilieMoran 10 years ago
well this is adorable but i dont think all the butterflys lived.... :(
JenniferHarper 10 years ago
Cats are indeed cute, but there are plenty. Owner wielding camera should have been responsible and put cute kitty in house!
#3
Lion And Butterfly
#4
Chameleon And Butterly
DianeDesAutels 10 years ago
I hate to be "that" commenter, but I must admit I wonder whether this is Photoshopped.
#5
Cat Trying To Catch A Butterfly
#6
Curiousity
#7
Gecko And Butterfly
#8
Alligators With Butterflies
PatriciaSirois 9 years ago
It's as if they feel prettier with the butterflies on them - awesome shots!
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LeopardHorse56 10 years ago
Even the grumpiest have something to smile about when butterflies land on their noses...... :)
SusannaVesna 10 years ago
Almost like Lady Gaga in her famous Alexander McQueen butterfly costume! :P
#9
Impossible Love
fantasycreature 10 years ago
Its the same butterfly with the chameleon. And I think it is some kind of forced "nature photography" Indonesian style. Just sad.(Google it)
ElyzzabethBeswick 10 years ago
I think this is not love, frog was likely about to eat the butterfly
#10
Rat And Butterfly
#11
The Pit Bull And The Butterfly
#12
Cat With A Butterfly
#13
Rabbit And The Butterfly
JessicaDuncan 10 years ago
It's a hummingbird moth Fist saw them on my butterfly tree in germany
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SusannaVesna 10 years ago
:O Never knew something like that existed! Mama was a Hummingbird, Dad a moth?! :P
MichelleGoldsmith 10 years ago
Well, really technically, they are both Lepidotera.
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Sharon Punter 6 years ago
It’s just a hummingbird moth, who’s acting like a bird, that thinks it’s a bee 💕🎶
Ronja Lande Farestvedt 7 years ago
It KINDA looks like they're both getting ready for a fight.
#14
Gorilla Among Butterflies
#17
Dangerous Liaisons
Ronja Lande Farestvedt 7 years ago
TRUE! One of my mom's friends had two of those, living in her bathroom. Even tho I was really young, I can still remember that I SOMETIMES got allowed to pet them! She had to eventually give them away (for some reason that I don't remember).
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#18
Wild Guinea Pig Playing With Butterflies
MaryAsh 10 years ago
This is not a wild guinea pig.... This colour morph is extinct in the wild it's a domestic mutation, still cute though.
cest_nayce 10 years ago
for a second I thought you were topless in your pic... sorry for the comment lol
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Ronja Lande Farestvedt 7 years ago
1st picture: The terrified guinea pig is preparing to escape from the sleeping butterflies. 2nd picture: The butterflies woke up, but the guinea pig didn't noticed and kept walking. 3rd picture: (after the guinea pig noticed that they were all awake) "GET AWAY FROM ME PLEASE, I DON'T WANNA DIE", is the guinea pig screaming while It's running for It's life!
#19
Bambi With Butterfly
Final score:
46points
#22
Calm Rhino
Final score:
15points
Ronja Lande Farestvedt 7 years ago
!COMPLIMENT! Good Job! Stay in school:)
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#24
Butterfly At The Falls
Final score:
4points
NelliKállai 10 years ago
That's so amazing, what nature can create. Wonderful! *-* Congrats to the photographer too! :)
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What do you think ?
Stephanie Borsanyi 8 years ago
I think Bored Panda doesn't know the difference between a butterfly and a moth.
Stephanie Borsanyi 8 years ago
I think Bored Panda doesn't know the difference between a butterfly and a moth.
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