Symbiosis Examples

Hummingbirds feed on nectar from flowers. Flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds as they move from flower to flower. This is an example of...

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Ticks live on dogs and feed on their blood and tissue. Dog gets skin iritation & pick up diseases caused by ticks

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

As buffalo graze they disturb insects in the grass causing them to jump out of the way, for example grasshoppers. Many bird species will follow the buffalo as they graze and will feed on the fleeing insects.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Athlete's foot fungus lives on the skin of humand and feeds on keratin, a protein. Humans have itchy, cracked skin which can become infected

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Remora use suckers to attach temporarily to large marine mammals such as sharks. The shark provides free transportation, protection and dropped food & feces on which the remora feeds. The shark is not harmed

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Honeyguide birds find a bee hive, then chatter loudly to attract the honey badger. They fly toward the hive making sure the badger is following. Upon arrival at the bee hive, the badger tears open the hive and feasts on the honey. Then the honeyguide bird feeds on the remaining wax and larvae

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Humans use horses for transporation and labor, in return horses receive food, water and shelther from humans

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Manyspecies of bird build their nests in trees. The bird then has a safe place to raise their young. The tree is neither harmed nor benefitted.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

The red-chested cuckoo birds find an unattended robins nest, push out the robin's eggs & lay their eggs in the robin's nest and leave. Robin babied die and the robin parents feed and take care of the baby cuckoo birds.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Snapping shrimp have poor vision & depend on their goby fish roommate to give danger signals when predators come. Goby fish that don't have a place to hide are quickly eaten. They find a snapping shrimp roommate for safety who digs a hole for both to live in.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism