10 Examples of Animal Species Working Together in the Wild

Water Buffalo and Cattle Egrets

Cattle egrets live on insects. And in the savannah, insects congregate on the ubiquitous water buffalo. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, you'll find these birds constantly perched atop buffalo backs. They scoop up the insects that the buffalo kick up from the grass and earn free rides by picking harmful fleas and ticks off their hosts.

As a bonus, cattle egrets have a heightened sense of danger and can alert the water buffalo if trouble is near.

Carrion Beetles and Mites

As their name suggests, carrion beetles eat dead animals. These insects also lay their eggs on the deceased animals so their larvae can eat the meat when developing. But they aren't the only bugs that do this; and, often, faster-developing larvae will gobble up young carrion beetles feasting on meat to reduce competition.

This scenario is where mites come in. Carrion beetles will carry the tiny arachnids on their backs, giving them a free ride and access to food. In exchange, the mites swarm the dead meat, eating the eggs and larvae that don't belong to their host beetle.

Ostriches and Zebras

Because zebras and ostriches are prey for faster animals, they must maintain heightened alertness for danger. The problem is that zebras—while having excellent eyesight—don't have a great sense of smell. Ostriches, on the other hand, have a superior sense of smell but poor eyesight. 

And so the two work together to stay alert to predators, relying on the eyes of the zebra and the noses of the ostriches.

Colombian Lesserblack Tarantulas and Humming Frogs

Upon first seeing a humming frog coexist with the big, scary Colombian lesserblack tarantula, you might assume the tarantula wouldn't eat the frog because the frog tastes bad. But there's more to this unexpected mutualistic relationship than that. 

These species of spider and frog have been found in the same area, and even share the same burrows. The frogs use the spiders for protection from predators and to get food (they usually eat the leftovers from the tarantulas' meals). In return, the frogs eat ants and other insects that might otherwise feast on the tarantula's precious eggs.

Egyptian Crocodiles and Plovers

Another highly unlikely and frankly mindboggling mutualistic relationship is the one that exists between plovers and Egyptian crocodiles. These relatively puny wading birds boldly perch at the opening of crocs' mouths and pick food from their razor-sharp teeth. Yes, really.

Even more surprising is that the crocodiles allow the birds to forage for scraps in their mouths because it keeps their teeth clean and healthy. After all, a crocodile's teeth are its most useful quality.

Honey Badgers and Honeyguides

As their name implies, honeyguides are birds that love honey. But they have a hard time accessing the sweet substance when it's inside a beehive. So, they hang with honey badgers, mammals that like honey as much as they do. They lead their mammalian friends to beehives and the honey badgers do the dirty work of breaking it open for both species to enjoy a sugary snack.

Pistol Shrimp and Gobies

Pistol shrimp are fierce predators that can snap their claws together so tightly that a jet of water shoots out. So, why would gobies willingly go near them? Well, for as good as they are at catching prey, the shrimp have bad eyesight so they're also vulnerable to predators.

Gobies, it turns out, have great eyesight. They act as seeing-eye fish for the shrimp, keeping their tail fins in contact with the shrimp's antennae to easily signal when danger is near. In return, the gobies get free access to the pistol shrimps' burrows so that they can both hide from predators.

Clownfish and Sea Anemones

Clownfish often hide from danger within the tentacles of sea anemones. You may know that sea anemones sting, but the clownfish secrete a substance that protects them and allows them to touch anemones without consequence. In return, the clownfish attract prey for their hosts. They also help rid the stationary cnidarians of harmful parasites and chase away predators like butterflyfish.

Coyotes and Badgers

Here's a rare example of mutualism in the United States.: coyotes and badgers. You might have seen photos of this surprising pairing traveling together in the night or walking side by side through a sunny plain. Both are incredible hunters, but the coyote gets into a bind when its prey seeks refuge underground. Badgers, being superior diggers, can better access below-ground dwellers, and when they do, the two species share the meal.

Meerkats and Drongos

As shown in David Attenborough's "Africa," the songbirds known as drongos have a relationship with meerkats that benefits both parties, though never at once. A rare example of bird-mammal mutualism, the drongo keeps an eye out for predators as the meerkats hunt. When the drongo sounds an alarm, the meerkats make a run for it, often dropping their prey en route to safety.

Naturally, the drongo scoops up their abandoned prey and has even resorted to sounding false alarms or mimicking meerkat warning calls to get an extra meal.