Symbiotic relationships

There are so many different types of symbiotic relationships, but today I want to share with you the following two types.

Mutualism, is where both parties benefit from the interaction, for example, buffalos and oxpeckers. Oxpeckers eat parasites like ticks and flies that infest buffalos and compromise their health. In return the oxpeckers get a reliable food source and a safe place to perch – see the photo below. It is amazing how many creatures provide a service for each other, with each gaining a benefit from it. Here, the oxpeckers provide a cleansing service, removing all sorts of ectoparasites, while they get a reliable meal from the buffalo.

Commensalism, is where one species benefits, and the other is neither harmed nor helped. An example is when a bird builds its nest in a tree. The tree does not benefit or get harmed, but the bird is the one benefiting as it has found a shelter in that tree.