Wild Animals That Are Best Friends Forever

By Vandya Rai

AUGUST 06 2022

Clownfish & Anemone

Clownfish are immune to an anemone’s sting. So, they hide among the tentacles to escape from predators. In return, they get rid of the anemone’s parasites and provide nutrients through their faeces. The clownfish’s movement also helps circulate water and oxygenate the anemone.

Forever better together

Image Source: Alamy

Image Source: Alamy

Nile Crocodile & Egyptian Plover

This crocodile is known for its aggressive behaviour towards trespassers. But, it happily welcomes the Egyptian Plover, right into its mouth! These birds feed on the decomposing meat stuck between the crocodile’s teeth.

The in-house dentist

Shark & Pilot Fish

Pilot fish travel alongside the deadly shark. They don’t get eaten because they keep the shark free of harmful parasites and clean up bits of excess food. In return, they stay safe from predators thanks to this mighty bodyguard.

A powerful posse

Image Source: Alamy

Aphids & Ants

Aphids are little insects that secrete honeydew. Ants “milk” the aphids to get this sugary liquid. In return, the ants protect the aphids from parasites and predators. Some ants even move aphid eggs down to their nest to keep them safe.

A sweet exchange

Image Source: Alamy

Image Source: Alamy

Tarantula & Tiny Frog

The Colombian Lesserblack Tarantula and the Dotted Humming Frog of South America form an interesting alliance. The frog enjoys protection from predators, and in return, it eats the carnivorous ants that attack the tarantula’s eggs. The dangerous spider even shares its burrow with this amphibian. 

A personal pet

Image Source: Alamy

Snapping Shrimp & Goby

Gobies share the burrows of Snapping Shrimps. Often, the shrimp finds comfort in resting its sensitive antennae on the fish. Gobies look out for predators using their chemical cues, which signals the shrimp to hide, too.

Underwater roommates

Image Source: Alamy

Hermit Crab & Sea Anemone

Anemone attaches to a crab’s shell to get a ride across the ocean bed. It also gets scraps of food from the hermit crab. In return, it offers protection from predators using the painful sting of its tentacles.

Hitchhikers of the ocean

Image Source: Alamy

Oxpeckers & Rhino

Oxpeckers cling to large grazing mammals. They eat the parasites on the bodies of rhinos, zebras, or wildebeests including bloodsucking flies and ticks. Some oxpeckers even raise alarms when danger is close by, because Rhinos are short-sighted.

Always got your back