Wild Insides
#47Weird nature
These Bees Cook An Intruder Alive
When a giant hornet scout finds a Japanese honeybee nest, hundreds of bees pile onto it and form a tight ball.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
tear drinking moth · moth drinks bird tears · Hemiceratoides hieroglyphica · Madagascar moth · weird animal facts · lachryphagy
The real science
In the forests of Madagascar, one moth feeds on something stranger than nectar. It lands on a sleeping bird, slides a hooked mouthpart under the eyelid and drinks its tears. Scientists think the tears give it salt and protein it can't get from flowers.
Don’t try anything shown in this video.
Follow the facts
- Biology Letters: Malagasy birds as hosts for eye-frequenting moths
- Royal Society: Malagasy birds as hosts for eye-frequenting moths
- Wikipedia: Hemiceratoides hieroglyphica
Ask about this science
Curious about something in “The Moth That Drinks Tears From Sleeping Birds”? Our AI-powered helper answers using only this page’s write-up and sources.
AI answers can be wrong; check the sources. Not medical advice.
Our illustrations simplify anatomy and scale. Educational content only; not medical advice.
Watch this on TikTokStill curious?
#47
#32Weird nature
This Spider Goes Fishing With Fake Moth Perfume
Bolas spiders don't build a normal web.
Short. Strange. True.The real science
#31Weird nature
These Ants Farm Bugs And Rip Off Their Wings
Ants guard aphids from hungry ladybugs, but they aren't doing it to be kind.
Short. Strange. True.The real science