symbiosis

What Is Mutualism?

Mutualism is when both species working together benefit. Like, the Oxpecker and the Impala. Oxpeckers eat the insects on the Impala's back. The Oxpecker gets a meal, while the Impala has the relief of no bugs on its back.

What is Parasitism?

Parasitism is when two species work together when one benefits and the other is hurt. Like the cowbird and some other birds. The cowbird lays eggs in another nest to live on. The other birds eggs fall out of the nest when the cowbirds hatch.

What is Commensalism?

Commensalism is when two animals work together. One is helped, one is unaffected. Some birds fly alongside army ants. Insects get pushed out of the way as the ants travel. The bird goes and eats the shoved insects.

Multiple Choice

The mistletoe grows on the spruce tree. The mistletoe removes nutrients from this tree.

• Mutualism

• Parasitic

• Commensalism

Fill in the Blanks

Geladas let wolves into their territory for some reason. The wolves promise not to eat the geladas. The wolves get free territory. Win-win!

Fill in the Blanks

The pseudo scorpion attaches itself to a beetle and gets a free ride without the beetle knowing!

Multiple Choice

Wasps have a relationship with flowers. At random times, the wasp goes to get a drink of nectar. Nectar does not spread, as the nectar would fall off before the wasp goes to another flower.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Fill in the Blanks

The flea is annoying. This insect normally lives on the back of big, strong, animals. It feeds on the blood of the animal it is living on. What relationship is this?

Multiple Choice

The plover goes inside the crocodile's mouth, picks the plague of the teeth, and flies out again. What is the relationship here?

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism