Located in the Amazon, there is a unique photograph that was captured by Mark Cowan when he was touring the Amazon and studying more about the diversities of amphibians; while collaborating with the Herpetology Division of the University of Michigan. While on this tour, he was able to capture one of the best photographs ever clicked. In the photo, you can see a caiman that has a vibrant crown of butterflies on its head. As per their biology, the butterflies need salt for survival and hence, the salt that gets accumulated on the skin of caimans serves to be highly useful. There are different breeds of animals that also rely on commensalism for their nutrition. Although the caiman does not have any noticeable advantage due to this type of arrangement, it adds to the appeal of the caiman and it looks majestic!
The Ecology and Environmental Science Category of 2016 Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition also commended the wonderful work of Cowan, titled Butterflies and Caiman. If you take a closer look at the pictures, you will see that there are three pairs of butterflies that are settled close to their own breeds.
