Animal Relationships
Do Animals Have Relationships?

When we refer to animal
relationships, we are NOT
talking about friendships.

Animal relationships are
where different species work
and live together to serve as
purpose.

This is called symbiosis.
What is Symbiosis?

Symbiosis- a close and long-term interaction between two or
more different biological species.


Meaning, animals live and work together in a way that is helpful to
at least one animal involved.
There are 3 Types of Symbiotic Relationships that we will learn
about:

Mutualism

Commensalism

Parasitism
What is Mutualism?

Mutualism- A relationship between individuals of
different species where both individuals benefit.

Examples:

Clown Fish and Ritteri Sea Anemones.
 The
clown fish live in the tentacles of the
anemone. The clown fish protects the anemone
from anemone-eating fish, and the stinging
tentacles of the anemone protect the fish from
predators.

Bullhorn Acacia Trees and Stinging Ants
A
colony of ants live in the horn-looking bark of
the tree. The ants get shelter and access to food
from the nectar of the tree. The tree gets
protection by the aggressive ants.
What is Commensalism?

Commensalism- A relationship
between two living things where one
benefits and the other is not
significantly harmed or helped.

Example:

Cattle Egret
 They
follow cattle, water buffalo,
and other large herbivores as they
graze. The herbivores leave
insects exposed in the vegetation
after they graze, and the egrets
can then catch and eat the
insects.
What is Parasitism?


Parasitism- A relationship where one
member of a species benefits while the
other is harmed.
Examples:
 Lice, ticks, fleas, mosquitos, and
leeches


They suck blood from their host
and sometimes may cause disease.
Like flea=plague and tick=lyme
disease
Guinea Worm

A parasite that hatches inside its
host and steal the hosts nutrients
and tear apart the host’s stomach
and intestines in the process until
it leaves the body by making an
exit in the host’s foot.
Why is This Important?

It is important to know about these
relationships.

All animals live and depend on other
species in order to survive.

If one animal is removed from an
ecosystem, it can have devastating
effects not only for the animals that
depend on them, but for all animals in
that ecosystem.
Some Videos That May Be of Interest…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSmL2F1t81Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQ5_zaJob0