Mutualism

Mutualism happens when two living things have a mutual benefit. Both help each other in some way and this happens all the time in nature.

Here is a video that can help you understand this relationship.

Crocodile and the Plover Bird

What do you think this courageous bird is doing in the crocodile’s mouth? Why isn’t the crocodile doing anything to her?

This tiny bird is called the Egyptian Plover bird. She gets into the crocodile’s mouth and picks out the tiny bits of food stuck in his teeth.

Mutualism happens when both organisms have a benefit

What does she do with them? She eats them and often this completes her diet.

This cleans the crocodile’s teeth and keeps his mouth fresh and free from infections. So, the Plover bird gets her food and the crocodile gets his mouth cleaned. In this way, both are able to help each other! They have benefit. That's mutualism.

Let us get to know a little bit more about these creatures :

A crocodile is a carnivore which means it eats all kinds of animals that live in the water and even cattle. They have strong jaws. They do not chew their food, just swallow the entire prey into their stomach where it is broken down.It is while swallowing that the bits of flesh get stuck in their teeth.

Don't forget the other relationships which are:

Exploitation = predators and parasitism. + --

Commensalism = + o

Ammensalism = o --

Competition = --  --