Why Butterflies Visit Cow Dung: The Science of Puddling

Butterflies usually visit flowers to drink nectar.

Nectar gives them sugar for energy.

But butterflies need other nutrients, too.

Some nutrients are found in moist soil, animal dung and urine.

These materials can contain minerals such as sodium and nitrogen.

When butterflies gather around these substances, the behavior is called puddling.

Some butterflies in India have been seen around cow dung.

They are not visiting because they like the smell or have developed a taste for poop.