When two animals team up, they form a beneficial partnership called symbiosis. For example oxpeckers ride on a rhino’s back. For allowing Oxpecker to eat insects off his back, Rhino gets an early warning system. Meanwhile, zebras drink at a water hole with wildebeests and ostriches. While the others see danger, zebras smell danger, Together, the animals provide safety for each other at the communal water hole.
Sometimes two competitors will form an alliance. American Badger and Coyote hunt Ground Squirrel together. While American Badger digs out Ground Squirrel, Coyote stations himself at an escape hole, waiting for Ground Squirrel to pop out. He pounces on the unfortunate squirrel and shares the bounty with American Badger. In another example, Ratel (Honey Badger) teams with Honeyguide in the pursuit of bees. Honeyguide finds the hive, and Ratel opens the hive. Both benefit from their alliance in finding the bees and their bounty.
However, odd partnerships between disparate species occur as well. Known as “The Crocodile Bird”, Egyptian Plover runs along Crocodile’s back picking off ticks. In addition, Plover eats leeches from Crocodile’s teeth. Because the cleaning of teeth is so important to Crocodile, She keeps her mouth open for Plover. In their partnership, Crocodile insures Plover a meal, and Plover keeps Crocodile healthy.
Another odd partnership is Clownfish and Sea Anemone. Even though Anemone is poisonous to other fish, It does not affect Clownfish. In return for Sea Anemone’s protection, Clownfish lures other fish to the anemone’s tentacles. Living exclusively in Sea Anemone, Clownfish attacks other fish that nibble at Sea Anemone’s tentacles. Because of Clownfish’s efforts, Sea Anemone stays healthy.
Ccommensalism occurs when one animal benefits while not harming the other. Cattle Egret lives with Hippo. When Hippo moves about, Cattle Egret eats the insects disturbed by Hippo’s rising. However, Hippo gets nothing from the relationship.
In the world of animals, many varied partnerships exist. Study how the animals interact with each other. See how they conduct themselves in their relationships. Apply what you learn from their example to your life. Learn how to benefit from an unlikely partnership.
Purchase from Lulu Publishing: "Finding Your Animal Teachers"
Va. Carper
May 7, 2008