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 - Big Canids

This article was originally published by Youth Time International Magazine

Humankind has a millennia-long history with canids, having domesticated and bred them into all different shapes and sizes. “Man’s best friends” were originally chosen as our trusty companions due to their loyalty and ability to provide protection.

But what of their wild cousins - today's species who share the same ancestral background as our pet pals from chihuahuas to great danes? From Africa’s endangered painted dog to the species most closely related to our trusty canine companions, the Gray Wolf, this article introduces you to the ten largest feral canids that walk the earth today!

Side-striped Jackal

In at number ten is the timid and rarely seen Side-striped Jackal. These medium-sized canids stand at 40-50 cm in height and weigh around 7-12 kg. Despite their elusive nature, these nocturnal omnivores are distributed across most of sub-Saharan Africa and are listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. Sightings of Side-striped Jackals are rare, but for the best chances of witnessing them in their natural habitat, take a drive through Kruger National Park, South Africa after sunset.

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Red Fox

The Red Fox has the widest distribution of any canid, spanning across the entire northern hemisphere and even being introduced to New Zealand and Tasmania in Australia. Reaching heights of up to half a metre and masses up to 14 kg, the Red Fox is considered the largest of all true foxes. Despite their size and omnivorous diet, the species is still too small to pose a threat to humans. For this reason, the Red Fox has benefited from the presence of human habitation, and is a common visitor to gardens in many suburban and urban areas. They can be spotted virtually anywhere within their range, but are more frequently seen after dark owing to their nocturnal nature.

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Culpeo

The endangered Culpeo, or, Andean Fox is the second largest canid on the South American continent after the maned wolf. They weigh around the same as the aforementioned Red Fox, but tend to be slightly longer and taller. Larger populations can be found in open country and deciduous forests on the western slopes of the Andes. They have also been introduced to the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina. Head to Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile for the best chances of seeing Culpeo in the wild.

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Ethiopian Wolf

The species considered the rarest and most vulnerable of all canids, the Ethiopian Wolf is endemic to the highlands of its namesake country. Only around 400 individuals living in six fragmented populations roam the mountains of Ethiopia, making the Ethiopian Wolf Africa’s most endangered carnivore. Also known as the Abyssinian wolf, Simien fox, and cuberow, these medium-sized canids weigh up to 20 kg and can stand at over 60 cm tall. To witness these majestic creatures in their natural environment, pay a visit to Simien Mountains National Park in Ethiopia.

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Dhole

Also named the Asiatic wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, and mountain wolf, Dholes are a highly social species that are native to Central, South and Southeast Asia. With a population estimated at under 2,500 adults, these diurnal pack hunters have been listed as endangered by the IUCN. Habitat loss, disease, persecution and competition with other species (including leopards and tigers) have all been contributing factors toward their decline. Dholes can reach heights of 56 cm to the shoulder and weigh up to 21 kg making them very similar in size to the Ethiopian wolf. Head to Kanha Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh in India for excellent chances of spotting these canine critters in the wild.

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Coyote

The Coyote is a highly versatile species that has adapted well to human modified environments. It is abundant and widely spread throughout North America southwards through Central America into Panama. The largest coyote on record measured 1.5 metres from nose to tail and weighed a whopping 34 kg! However, the most vocal of all North American mammals typically grows to sizes similar to that of the Ethiopian wolf and dhole. Many wild areas in the United States have large populations of Coyotes, including Yellowstone National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

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Maned Wolf

The Maned Wolf boasts the title of largest canid in South America. Due to its markings, the species is known locally as aguará guazú, which means “large fox” in the Guarani language. Despite their nickname and given name, the Maned Wolf is neither a fox nor a wolf. In fact, the Maned Wolf is not is not closely related to any other member of the canid family, making the species somewhat unique. They average 23 kg in weight and stand up to 90 cm tall at the shoulder, making them the fourth largest wild canid in the world. For the best chances of spotting Maned Wolves in their natural habitat, venture to the beautiful Serra da Canastra National Park in Brazil.

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African Wild Dog

Also known as the African hunting dog and painted wolf, the largest canid in Africa is a highly endangered species that has all but disappeared from much of its original range. Due to factors which include disease, human persecution and habitat fragmentation, the African Wild Dog population continues to decrease. These lean yet robust predators typically grow up to 70 cm in length and can weigh up to 30 kg. Their frames have evolved for stamina, a trait they demonstrate when chasing their prey to exhaustion. Nearly 80% of all wild dog hunts end in a kill, which is impressive considering the success rate of lions, often viewed as ultimate predators, is only 10%. Reliable areas for African Wild Dogs include Luangwa Valley, Zambia and the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

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Red Wolf

Considered the rarest species of wolf in the world and one of the five most endangered canid species, the Red Wolf is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. Also known as the Florida black wolf and Mississippi Valley wolf, they are native to the southeastern United States. Only around 50 Red Wolves now roam a confined area of just over 1.7 million acres through northeastern North Carolina. They are typically shorter and more slender than the Gray Wolf, though some specimens can grow to larger sizes than smaller sized Gray Wolves. Spotting Red Wolves in the wild can be difficult, but small populations can be found in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

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Gray Wolf

By far the largest of all the wild canids, the Gray Wolf, also known as the timber wolf, are the most widely distributed of all wolf species and were at one time the world’s most widely distributed mammal! One of the planet’s best known and most studied species, the Gray Wolf has been divided into many different subspecies of which five inhabit the North American continent and seven to twelve cover Eurasia. The northwestern wolf, also known as the Mackenzie Valley wolf, Alaskan timber wolf, or Canadian timber wolf is considered to be the largest of all subspecies, with specimens typically weighing 51 kg and standing at 85 cm shoulder height. To see the largest of all subspecies in the wild, head to Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta, Canada. For excellent chances of spotting Gray Wolves, check out The Lamar Valley located in the remote northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park, United States.

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Photos Shutterstock/Graphics Leigh Woods

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

This article was originally published by Youth Time International Magazine

This edition of (The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will focus on bears! These immensely powerful yet cuddly-looking critters can be found roaming the forests, mountains, deserts and tundra of four different continents. This small group of mostly large omnivorous mammals has been divided into eight different species, all of which we take a closer look at below.

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Brown Bear

With a population of over 200,000, Brown bears are one of the most numerous and undoubtedly the most widespread of the bear family. Like many species, they have been divided into subspecies which include the famous Grizzlies that prowl the forests and mountains in the interior of North America. Contrary to popular belief, Grizzlies are so-called not due to their temperament, but for their white or tan-tipped fur (“Grizzly” means sprinkled or streaked with grey). Other subspecies can be spotted in the mountainous regions of southern and western Europe and across most of Asia.

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Giant Panda

Perhaps the most celebrated of all bears due to their striking pattern and friendly nature, the Giant Panda population is restricted to a few isolated patches of bamboo forest across six mountain ranges within China. Enormous conservation efforts have helped to ensure that the Giant Panda has been saved from the brink of extinction, but the species’ conservation status is still listed as vulnerable. In 2014, a nationwide census recorded 1,864 wild Giant Pandas with much of their overall population remaining in zoos and specialized sanctuaries.

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Polar Bear

The largest of all bears and the biggest land predator that roams the earth today, the Polar bear is one of the most iconic species on the planet. They are considered as marine mammals due to the fact that they live most of their lives on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean. While there population is estimated at 22,000 – 31,000, their numbers are rapidly decreasing due to loss of habitat caused by climate change. Despite their appearance, Polar bear fur is actually transparent and is made up of an outer layer of long 5-15 cm guard hairs and a thick undercoat of short insulating hairs.

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Sloth Bear

Easily distinguishable against other bears for their shaggy hair and white U-shaped marking across the chest, Sloth bears are a long and stocky species that can be found in only four countries – Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This relatively small species also sports a pale muzzle and well-developed hook-like claws that are perfectly suited to climbing trees and digging up their termite prey. Despite an estimated 7,000 – 10,000, spotting a Sloth Bear in the wild can be tricky, owing to the fact that they’re a predominantly nocturnal species.

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Spectacled Bear

South America’s only living bear species, the spectacled bear is so named for its distinctive beige-coloured facial pattern which sometimes extends down the neck. Also known as the Andean Bear, they can be found only in the Andean region of South America which spans across Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. The Spectacled Bear is technically the largest carnivore on the South American continent, but the fact their diet is made up of only around 5% meat, causes most to award the title to the Jaguar. Their population is estimated at between 6,000 – 10,000 individuals.

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Asiatic Black Bear

The Asiatic Black Bear is similar in appearance to the brown bear, but is easily distinguished for its smooth black fur coat and white V-shaped fur pattern on its chest. There are no accurate estimates of their population, with the species listed as a vulnerable by IUCN. Despite the lack of knowledge regarding their numbers, they are relatively widespread. Asiatic Black Bears can be found in many areas across Asia from mainland countries including Iran, Pakistan and China to island nations such as Japan and Taiwan.

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Sun Bear

The Sun Bear, (also known as the honey bear) is the smallest of all in the taxonomic family and also happens to be the rarest of all bear species. It is estimated that the population of Sun Bears has decreased by 30% over the past 30 years due to habitat destruction. Despite their low numbers, Sun Bears are relatively widespread across the forests of Southeast Asia, with the densest population found in Cambodia’s Mondolkiri Province.

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North American Black Bear

With an estimated population of up to 600,000 individuals, the North American Black Bear is the most numerous bear species on the planet. Along with the brown bear, they are the only member of the bear family to be listed as least concern by IUCN. One of the densest concentrations of North American Black Bears lie in the state of Maine, USA with around 30,000 individuals. The species has been divided into several subspecies, including the Louisiana Black Bear, Florida Black Bear and Mexican Black Bear.

All photos are Shutterstock. Graphics by Leigh Woods.