Symbiosis

Remora + Shark

A remora fish swims alongside a shark and eats the leftovers from the shark's meal. The shark doesn't mind.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Mosquito + Humans

The mosquito drinks blood from humans. The humans can get diseases.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Birds Nest + Tree

Birds build their nests inside the safety of the tree. The tree isn't affected.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Honeyguide Bird + Badger

The honeyguide bird is really good at finding bee hives and the badger is really good at digging into hives to open them up. They can work together.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Sloth + Green Algae

A sloth's fur is home to green algae which provides the sloth with camouflage. The algae gets a place to grow and water.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Mistletoe + Spruce

The mistletoe plant uses the water that a spruce tree collects. The tree is negatively affected.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Zebra + Oxpeckers

Oxpeckers eat bugs off of zebras. The zebra gets free parasite removal.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Barnacles + Whales

The barnacles attach to the whale for a free ride. The whale is not helped or harmed.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Ants + Acacia Tree

This ant burrows into the acacia tree to eat sugars. The ants also protect the tree from predators.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Honeybee + Flower

The honeybee pollinates the flower, helping it reproduce. The bee gets nutrients from the flower.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism