6 Surprising Symbiotic Relationships

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This article was originally published by Youth Time Magazine

Can you imagine how your life might be without your best friend? Who would laugh at your terrible jokes or have your back any time you got into trouble? As humans, we rely heavily on friends for support, companionship and even when we want to kick back and have some fun. In fact, whether in social or professional spheres, it is generally accepted that forming strong bonds and partnerships with one another can often bring about positive results.

But did you know that such partnerships are also formed throughout the animal kingdom - and not just within a single species? Some creatures forge lifelong relationships with entirely different organisms in order to get through their days just a little easier. These types of alliances are known scientifically as symbiotic relationships, which can be separated into three different types: commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism.

Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two different animal species whereby only one of them benefits. The other is neither helped nor harmed. The opposite of commensalism is parasitism, which involves one organism gaining from the inter-species relationship, but to the detriment of its host. Ticks are a well-known example of a parasite. Mutualism is the win-win form of symbiotic relationships, with both partners benefiting.

Below, I will introduce you to some of the most weird and unlikely examples of symbiotic relationships within the animal kingdom.

Nile Crocodile and Egyptian Plover

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The Nile crocodile is well-known for being hyper-aggressive whenever an uninvited visitor steps into their territory. However, there is one creature that the scaly reptilians will not only tolerate, but practically welcome into their aquatic domain. Incredibly, the Egyptian Plover aka “Crocodile Bird” will fly into the crocodile’s open mouth and feed upon the decomposing meat stuck between their teeth. The plover gets a not so scrumptious meal while the crocodile gets a little free dental work!

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Sharks and Pilot Fish

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Similar to the mutualistic relationship between Nile crocodiles and Egyptian plovers, many species of shark have established an unlikely alliance with pilot fish. While the pilot fish helps to rid the shark of parasites and clean away fragments of food caught between their teeth, it benefits from protection against other predators. The companionship between these two species is said to be so strong that there are even tales of distressed pilot fish following trawler vessels months after catching “their” shark.

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Coyote and Badger

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Back on to dry land and let's take a closer look at the unlikely coalition between coyotes and badgers. With speed being their main predatory tactic, coyotes usually rely on open environments to pursue and kill their prey. However, badgers are diggers, capturing their prey whilst resting in their subterranean burrows. In some parts of North America, coyotes have been observed waiting outside burrows for ground squirrels fleeing from an attacking badger. While both parties rarely benefit from any one hunt, the badger also enjoys success thanks to this unlikely relationship. Sensing the danger posed by the coyote, some animals remain in their burrows, allowing the badger a greater opportunity to catch them.

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Hermit Crabs and Sea Anemones

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Another unlikely marine pairing is that of hermit crabs and sea anemones. By poking the anemone with its pincers and holding it in place, the crab encourages it to attach to its shell. While the anemone bags itself a free ride across the seabed upon the hermit crab's back, they effectively serve as bodyguards, providing shelter and using their barbed tentacles to actively fend off hungry hermit predators.

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Colombian Lesserblack Tarantula and Dotted Humming Frog

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It might seem odd to think that a creature as sinister-looking as a tarantula could form a symbiotic relationship with an animal it could easily kill and eat. But that is exactly the case in this odd partnership between the Colombian lesserblack tarantula and dotted humming frog of South America. In fact, the large creepy crawly even allows the tiny frog to share its burrow! While the plucky little amphibian enjoys protection from fierce predators, the spider benefits from the frog devouring carnivorous ants that attack and eat the tarantula’s eggs.

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Drongos and Meerkats

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This incredible partnership between bird and mammal was made famous in the BBC wildlife documentary “Africa” hosted by the legendary David Attenborough. The drongo serves as a lookout for hunting meerkats, giving a warning cry whenever a predator is within the vicinity. Upon hearing the alarm, the spirited little mammals scuttle back to their burrows, often dropping any prey they have captured in order to speed up their escape. Most of the calls made by the drongo are genuine. However, the mischievous drongo has learned that by raising false alarms, it can swoop down and pick up a free meal dropped by a fleeing meerkat. A master of mimicry, the drongo has even been witnessed making warning calls made by meerkats!

(The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Giants

This article was originally published by Youth Time International Magazine

In this edition of (The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them we take a closer look into the giants of the natural world. From megafauna roaming Africa’s vast savannas to the creepy critters that lurk the forest undergrowth, discover more about the Goliaths of each taxonomic class and learn where to best locate them.

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Largest Land Mammal: African Bush Elephant

The African Elephant has been classified into two subspecies, namely the African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant. The former is the largest terrestrial animal on earth with the latter in third - after the Asian Elephant. With an average height of 3.3 metres and a mass of 6 tonnes, the African Bush Elephant towers over all others in the family. The largest elephant ever recorded was a bull (male) in Angola. He weighed in at 11 tonnes, and was nearly a meter taller than the average elephant. Due to illegal poaching for their ivory, habitat destruction, and human-wildlife conflict, elephant numbers have dwindled over the past few centuries making them vulnerable to extinction. Among the best places to witness the African Bush Elephant in its natural habitat are the Okavanga Delta, Botswana and the Addo Elephant Park in South Africa.

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Largest Marine Mammal: Blue Whale

Not just the largest of all marine mammals, but claiming the title of largest creature ever to inhabit the Earth, the Blue Whale can grow to lengths of up to 30 metres and weigh up to 180 tonnes. Comparable in size to a small car, they have the largest heart of any animal and possess tongues that can weigh more than an elephant! Due to commercial whaling, their numbers depleted significantly throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, but their population has steadily increased since being protected worldwide from 1966. The IUCN estimates the Blue Whale population at between 10,000 – 25,000 individuals with the best chances of observing these colossal beasts off the coast of Dondra Point in Sri Lanka.

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Largest Bird: Ostrich

The largest of all birds by some distance, the Ostrich can grow up to 2.8 metres in height and weigh close to 145kg (that’s the weight of two average adult humans!). To add to its repertoire, they also boast the fastest land speed of any bird – reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h – and lay the largest eggs of any living bird. Furthermore, along with the largest squids in the ocean, they have the biggest eyes in the entire animal kingdom. Females tend to be about 2/3 the size of males and sport a brown/grey plumage with the males exhibiting black and white feathers. It is thought to be a camouflage technique to evade predators during breeding season whereby the female will sit on the eggs during the day, with the male taking on the responsibility at night. For the best chances of spotting them in the natural environment, head to Oudtshoorn, South Africa which has been aptly named the Ostrich capital of the world.

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Largest Reptile: Saltwater Crocodile

The Saltwater Crocodile is a prehistoric looking reptile that is also known as the estuarine crocodile, sea crocodile, and more informally, saltie. The males grow up to sizes that far exceed that of females, typically reaching up to around 5-6 metres in length and weighing nearly a tonne. Owing to their ability to dwell in a wide range of habitats, these menacing characters have the broadest distribution of any extant crocodile species. In fact, their range spans from the eastern coast of India through to northern Australia. Well known Saltwater Crocodile hotspots include Daintree River in Far North Queensland, and Cahills Crossing, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory – both located in Australia. Always practice extreme caution when heading out to spot these highly aggressive critters.

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Largest Bony Fish: Mola Mola

The largest of all fishes is actually the cartilaginous whale shark, but since we’ve already covered this species in the Fantastic Beasts series, we decided to shed some spotlight on the largest of the bony fish – the Mola Mola, or, Ocean Sunfish. These odd looking marine animals are often as tall as they are long, with specimens growing up to 3.2 metres in height! The weight of mature Mola Mola can differ greatly, ranging between 250kg to a tonne. Due to the high levels of bycatch observed in many fisheries around the world, Mola Mola has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Their range is circumglobal and there are many operators that offer the chance to dive with Mola Mola, including those based in the Nusa Penida, Indonesia and Oban, Scotland. The Galapagos Islands are also well known for spectacular diving experiences with these gigantic ocean dwellers, among other aquatic animals.

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Largest Amphibian: Chinese Giant Salamander

The most vulnerable to extinction of all animals in this article and the largest of all amphibians, the Chinese Giant Salamander is considered “a living fossil”. Endemic to rocky mountain streams and lakes in China, their numbers have fallen by as much as 80% since the 1950s due to pollution, habitat loss, and use in traditional Chinese medicine. As most Chinese Giant Salamander stop feeding at water temperatures exceeding 20 °C, the species is also highly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. While they rarely reach such lengths in the present day, the Chinese Giant Salamander has been known to grow to as long as 1.8 metres and reach up to 50kg! Spotting them in the wild is a tall order, but doing so would likely happen in the basins of the Yangtze, Yellow and Pearl Rivers within China.

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Largest Insect: Wētāpunga

Unless you’re a diehard entomologist, you probably won’t be planning a trip to spot the world’s largest insect, the wētāpunga any time soon. Endemic to the arboreal forests situated on Little Barrier Island off the coast of New Zealand, these giant crickets can reach lengths up to 7.5 cm and weigh more than a small sparrow! They are heavily predated on by birds (especially saddlebacks) and kiore rats, and in tandem with their restricted distribution this has led them to become listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. Note that the heaviest insect in the world is the Goliath Beetle.

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Largest Arachnid: Goliath Birdeater

The Goliath Birdeater is the thing of nightmares for any sufferer or arachnophobia. These enormous blond tarantulas are largest arachnids both by size and weight but second to Laos’ giant huntsman spider by leg-span. The Goliath Birdeater boasts a body length of up to 11.9 cm and can weigh as much as 175g. Their fangs are long enough to penetrate human skin, but seldom do they attack people and when they do, it is almost always in self defence. Further, despite carrying venom it is relatively harmless to humans, comparable to that of a wasp sting. Their diet consists mainly of large arthropods, worms and amphibians, but they have been known to prey on rodents, lizards, snakes, and, as their name suggests, birds! The Goliath Birdeater lives in deep burrows found in marshy and swampy areas of the Amazon Rainforest in northern Brazil and southern Venezuela. However, you’re more likely to find this nocturnal critter dead and served as part of the local cuisine!

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Largest Crustacean: Japanese Spider Crab

Not just the largest of all crustaceans but the biggest arthropod (insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans) that scuttles the planet, the Japanese Spider Crab can reach up to 5.5 meters from claw to claw and weigh as much as 19kg. Adults are found at depths between 50-600 meters below the water surfaces off the southern coasts of the Japanese island of Honshū, making the species very difficult to observe in the wild. In fact, the only chance you’re ever likely to encounter them in the wild is when they are unrecognizable – shortly after hatching. You may well have brushed past thousands of Japanase Spider Crabs without even knowing it if you’ve ever gone swimming in the waters off the coast of Japan!

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Other Natural World Giants

• Tallest animal: Maasai Giraffe (5.5 metres/1.2 tonnes)

• Largest land carnivore: Polar Bear/Kodiak Bear (3 metres/450kg)

• Largest marine carnivore: Sperm Whale (12 metres/57 tonnes)

• Largest fish: Whale shark (12.5 metres/21.5 tonnes)

• Largest mollusk/invertebrate: Colossal Squid (14 metres/495kg)

• Largest wingspan: Wandering Albatross (3.65 metres)

• Heaviest flying bird: Kori Bustard (18kg)

• Longest marine animal: Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (55 metres)

• Longest land animal: Reticulated Python (7.67 metres)

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All photos Shutterstock. Graphics by Leigh Woods

Akagera's Unsung Animals

Akagera is a sizeable national park comprising a wide variety of biomes including swampland, savanna, low mountains, plains, woodland, and thicket. The area's rich biodiversity is undoubtedly down to its broad spectrum of terrain.

The park is home to four of Africa's "big-five", including buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard. Regions encompassing dense bush allow some of these species to remain well hidden, and it's not entirely uncommon to leave the park without spotting any of the latter three.

Chances of observing the newly introduced lions aren't necessarily guaranteed, and you be surprised how easily an elephant can conceal itself when feeling unsociable. Leopard are mostly nocturnal and can be elusive as a woodpecker riding weasel when they want to be (we've all seen that photo).

But don't despair. There are plenty of fascinating animals where the odds are overwhelmingly in your favour - in terms of viewing opportunities. The list below contains mostly large mammals, with a couple of interesting reptiles for good measure. For birds, you can refer to my previous post, A Beginner's Guide to Birding in Akagera.

Consider yourself pretty unlucky if you don't see any of the following:

Hippopotamus

One of the largest animals you'll observe in Akagera, and more or less a given that you'll see plenty. Hippos spend most of their days in and around water, with the park's population frequenting mainly around the large lakes. They'll stray further inland during the cooler hours of the evening, and spend most of the night grazing before heading back toward the wetlands. The best place to find these hefty ungulates are on Hippo Beach, where you can also stop for lunch or to use the restroom.

Interesting fact: Despite their affiliation with water, hippopotamuses can't actually swim! They walk along the bottoms of lakes and rivers where they'll hold their breath for up to seven minutes!

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Cape Buffalo

The cape buffalo is without doubt the one species from the "big-five" that you'll almost certainly to spot on a day trip to Akagera. They're notoriously grumpy, with older males aka "duggaboys" being particularly bad-tempered. Males and females are similar but are easily distinguishable by looking at the horns. Where male's horns fuse together into a "boss" over the forehead, the females do not. You'll likely spot these imposing bovids in big groups consisting mainly of females and younger bulls. Older males tend to break off from the herd and spend much of their time wallowing in mud.

Interesting fact: Buffalo are probably the most dangerous and highly feared of all the big-five due to their frightening combination of bad temperament and enormous power!

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Olive Baboon

The largest of all primates found within the Akagera wilderness is the olive baboon. Also known as the anubis baboon, this old world monkey is the most wide-ranging of all baboons. One major factor toward their success is  their omnivorous and non-fussy diet. They have been recorded eating a large variety of plants, invertebrates, small mammals and birds. The olive baboon's social structure is known as an oligarchy, with troops of up to 150 individuals led by an elite group of males. Chances of spotting them are very high!

Interesting fact: Female olive baboons often form long-lasting social relationships with a male in their troop, known as a "friendship". These nonsexual friendships benefit both the male and female. The male benefits as these relationships are usually formed soon after immigrating into the troop, helping him to become socially accepted. The females benefit as the male will sometimes "babysit" for her.

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Nile Crocodile

Akagera is home to the second largest reptile on earth, surpassed only by the saltwater crocodile. Look out for these enormous prehistoric-looking beasts along the water edges of Akagera's beautiful lakes. Sexual dimorphism is prevalent, with females growing to be about 30% larger than males. Though they feed only a few times a year, Nile crocodiles are opportunistic and highly aggressive apex predators that are fully capable of taking down just about any species within their range.

Interesting fact: An unusual behaviour of this fearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and move on, both Nile crocodile parents will ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch.

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Plains (Burchell's) Zebra

You may be surprised to learn that there are four different species of zebra! Akagera is home to the most common of all, the plains or, Burchell's zebra. This species is easily distinguishable from others because it is the only one that has stripes which join around the belly. Zebra can be found all over Akagera, but best chances of spotting them are in the northern plains. You'll likely observe them forming aggregations with other species such as topi, warthog, and impala.

Interesting fact: A typical plains zebra family consists of a male, called a stallion, several females, called mares, and their young. When male zebra reach adolescence, they break off from the herd and form bachelor groups until they are ready to take over their own harem.

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Impala

The most common and widespread of all antelope in the park, impala are pretty, medium-sized antelope that are quite hard to miss.  Males sport long, slightly spiralled horns which they used to do battle with one another over mating rights during the rutting season. Females do not possess horns and are often found in large groups with one alpha male leading his harem of up to 300! During breeding season, you'll often spot several males forming a bachelor herd.

Interesting fact: Impala communicate in several ways, but the most impressive are through olfactory methods. Males produce a scent from pre-orbital glands on their foreheads to advertise their status to rivals. Both female and male impala are also thought to produce scents from their metatarsal glands to indicate their whereabouts to disbanded herd members when evading predators.

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Masai Giraffe

Like zebra, there are four species of giraffe which have also been divided into nine subspecies! Akagera plays host to the largest in the family, the Masai giraffe. The park was not originally an area where giraffe congregated. Those that now grace the plains and savannas of Akagera are the offspring of a small group introduced in 1986 from Kenya. Giraffe live in social groups known as temporary associations, and you'll likely spot several browsing together in areas densely populated with acacia trees.

Interesting fact: A giraffe's heart can weigh up to 14 kg! A series of special one-way valves in their necks regulate blood flow to the brain. Without these valves, the blood pressure in the giraffe's head would be immense when it bends over, enough to cause brain damage.

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Warthog

Made famous by the character Pumba in the Lion King, warthog's tend to be high on most safari-goer's bucket lists. They are mostly diurnal and can be seen all over the park where they spend most of their time grazing on short grass. It's very common to see male and female warthogs together, with up to 7 piglets close by. The warthogs of Akagera tend to be quite skittish and often distance themselves from vehicles quite quickly. As they run away, you'll notice they lift their tails entirely upright which is used as a "follow me" signal for their young.

Interesting fact: In areas with large populations of predators, warthog piglets have a very high mortality rate. Females will typically give birth to 3-5 piglets with usually only one or two making it to adulthood.

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Defassa Waterbuck

One of the largest antelope species in the park and also very common and widespread. Waterbuck are so named because they are a highly water-dependent species, and are rarely spotted more than a few kilometres from any aquatic source. They also have been observed fleeing into water in order to evade predators such as lion, hyena, and leopard. Waterbuck have very distinct markings with long necks and a mainly grey/brown shaggy coat with white patch on the rear.

Interesting fact: Waterbuck take longer to mature than any other antelope species. While males become sexually active at around the age of six years, females reach maturity within two to three years. 

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Topi (Tsessebe)

The second most prevalent of all antelope species in the park, the topi, or tsessebe, is also the fastest. Both males and females have slightly angled horns with a dark brown coat and black patch that runs from the forehead all the way down their elongated snout. They are a highly sociable species and can often be observed grazing in the arid grasslands and savannas in the north of the park. During mating season, you may see males standing alone in small territories whilst waiting for females to enter their domain.

Interesting fact: Both male and female topis will often rub their heads against the ground (to spread scent from facial glands), roll around in earth, and stir up mud with their horns. They have also been observed using their hooves to smear mud over their bodies, which is thought to help rid themselves of parasites.

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Vervet Monkey

Very commonly spotted primate not just in Akagera, but all over Rwanda from the mountains of Musanze to Kigali city suburbs. These cheeky little old world monkeys definitely fit their mischievous label. They have been noted for very having human-like characteristics including hypertension, anxiety, and even alcohol dependence! Social groups can range from 10 to a whopping 70 individuals. Males are fairly easily distinguished from females for their large, electric blue scrotum!

Interesting fact: Vervets are highly intelligent creatures and are well-known for their wide-range of communication and alarm calls, specifically in regard to particular predator sightings. 

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Common Eland

The common eland is the largest antelope species in Akagera and second largest in the world (after the giant eland). Eland bulls can grow to enormous sizes and weigh up to a tonne! Both males and females have thick spiralled horns that are ridged. Due to their colossal size, they are the slowest of all antelopes but can jump to a staggering three metres high! While the common eland can be found in massive herds of up to 500, you'll most likely observe them moving in much smaller groups in Akagera.

Interesting fact: In some areas, common eland are notorious for killing lions whilst defending themselves and their young against predation. For this reason they have been nicknamed by many as "The Lion Killers".

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Other interesting species to look out for:

• Blue Monkey
• Bohor Reedbuck
• Bushbuck
• Common Duiker
• Klipspringer
• Oribi
• Roan Antelope
• Side-striped Jackal
• Sitatunga
• Spotted Hyena
• Water Monitor

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Mostly nocturnal species in Akagera:

• Caracal
• Civet
• Galagos (Bushbaby)
• Genet
• Serval