Eight Surprising Examples Of Symbiosis Relations In The Animal Kingdom

Can you imagine how your life might be without your best friend?

As humans, we rely heavily on friends for support, companionship, and even when we want to kick back and have some fun. But did you know that such partnerships are also formed throughout the animal kingdom - and not just within a single species?

Sometimes, completely different species or organisms forge close or interdependent relationships, to the advantage of at least one of the parties involved. This interaction is called 'symbiosis'.

symbiosis may have different levels of integration: from the initial level, in which different organisms or species benefit from coexisting to a higher level, where they end up sharing genetic material.

Here are some fascinating examples of symbiotic relationships in the animal kingdom you probably didn't know about.

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01
Crocodiles and Egyptian plovers

via Photo by Sue Robinson and Enrique Ramos

Crocodiles have the strongest and fastest bite in the animal kingdom. To keep their most precious asset in top condition, they're constantly replacing the 80 teeth in their snout (they do this 2 or 3 times per year). The food debris that accumulates between their teeth can cause infections and severe health issues, so they allow plovers to feed on this lodged food.
02
Coyote and badger

via wildlifewoods

With speed being their main predatory tactic, coyotes usually rely on open environments to pursue and kill their prey. However, badgers are diggers, capturing their prey whilst resting in their subterranean burrows. In some parts of North America, coyotes have been observed waiting outside burrows for ground squirrels fleeing from an attacking badger. While both parties rarely benefit from any one hunt, the badger also enjoys success thanks to this unlikely relationship. Sensing the danger posed by the coyote, some animals remain in their burrows, allowing the badger a greater opportunity to catch them.
03
Spiny-tailed lizards and the fat-tailed scorpion

via Photo by Kristian Bell and Mr.Suchat

Desert lizards are extremely territorial when it comes to their dens. These are cool, shady places that are often raided by foxes and other predators. Fat-tailed scorpions like to be in the shade and offer the lizards protection from predators in exchange for living with them in their dens. This is another clear example of mutualism, from which both species have obtained an advantage that's key for their survival.
04
Drongos and meerkats

via wildlifewoods

This incredible partnership between bird and mammal was made famous in the BBC wildlife documentary "Africa" The drongo serves as a lookout for hunting meerkats, giving a warning cry whenever a predator is within the vicinity. Upon hearing the alarm, the spirited little mammals scuttle back to their burrows, often dropping any prey they have captured in order to speed up their escape. Most of the calls made by the drongo are genuine. However, the mischievous drongo has learned that by raising false alarms, it can swoop down and pick up a free meal dropped by a fleeing meerkat. A master of mimicry, the drongo has even been witnessed making warning calls made by meerkats!
05
Hermit crabs and sea Anemones

via wildlifewoods

By poking the anemone with its pincers and holding it in place, the crab encourages it to attach to its shell. While the anemone bags itself a free ride across the seabed upon the hermit crab's back, they effectively serve as bodyguards, providing shelter and using their barbed tentacles to actively fend off hungry hermit predators.
06
Sharks and remoras (sucker fish)

via Photo by Fiona Ayerst

The relationship between sharks and remoras is a clear example of commensalism. Instead of having a dorsal fin, remoras have developed a powerful sucker that adheres to the body of sharks, from which they obtain food and protection. This allows sharks to get rid of certain parasites that live on their skin, but they get a lot less out of this relationship than remoras do.
07
Narrow-mouthed toads and tarantulas

via BBC Earth/ Giphy

Tarantulas usually hunt small toads, but they make an exception for narrow-mouthed toads. These small amphibians keep tarantula eggs pest and insect-free, in exchange for their protection and for shelter. Scops owls usually hunt narrow-mouthed toads, but they'll think twice if there's a tarantula guarding their prey.
08
Goby fish and blind shrimp

via Photo by zaferkizilkaya

Goby fish have excellent vision, while blind shrimp, as their name implies, can barely see. Shrimp keep their dens clean and in perfect condition, and they share them with goby fish for protection. In exchange, the goby fish will stay by the shrimp at all time, and will give a slight tail flick as a sign for them to hide when it sees a potential threat.