Symbiosis

Hello Blog World,

Have you ever wondered if two different species in the wild would partner up for survival. Well, they do through a process known as "symbiosis". When two animals join together to help each other their rate of survival increases.

Can animals live without Symbiosis?

Let's look at three different types of symbiotic relationships.

1. Mutualism - when both species benefit from each other.

2. Commensalism - when one species benefits from the relationship, but the other is not affected.

3. Parasitism - when one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Mutualism

Many species can live without a symbiotic relation, but some can't for example a clownfish can't live without an anemone. The clownfish shares it's food with the anemone because the anemone is immobile, but the anemone can keep the clownfish safe giving it hiding space and protection. Making the anemone the perfect home for the clownfish.

Clownfish with the Anemone

When a remora needs to catch a ride, it will find a great white shark or dolphin so they can attach onto to them with their powerful suction pads. The remora eats off the parasites while the sharks give them a smooth ride. Checkout this article from Science Focus to learn more: Click Here.

Whale shark with Remoras

Commensalism

The hermit crab benefits from the snails leftover shell! The snail is not affected by the hermit crab using it's old shell, but the crab gets an advantage of using a new shell that provides shelter, armor, and protection. Can you think of a relationship where you have an advantage and the other doesn't?

Parasitism

The mosquito and human combine into a horrible relationship, of course only for the human! The mosquitos have an advantage to suck our blood, but sometimes they carry a disease that can make us sick or even kill us! So don't be a victim, protect yourself from this mosqulas! (when you combine two different words to make a new word that's called portmanteau. I combined mosquito and dracula to make mosqula!)

Mosquito the blood sucking Mosqula!

Check out my charts for more symbiotic relationships and activity ideas: Symbiosis by Kashmir