Great One-Horned Rhinocerous (Rhinocerous unicornis)

[parvez]

Symbiotic relation:

4. Mutualism between rhinoceros and ox-pecker Rhinoceros and ox-peckers are found in very good association in Chitwan National Park area of Nepal. It is very interesting to observe the close association between the huge bodied rhino and the comparatively very small sized ox-pecker, which is a bird. The association between these two different species of nature helps both of them giving the example of mutualism. Ox-pecker lives frequently on the back of the huge body of rhino and cleans ticks off their hides (Figure 11). So rhinoceros is benefitted by ox-pecker both for being helped to get rid of the ectoparasites like ticks. In addition to it rhinos also get help from ox-peckers which give the early warning if predators are approaching. On the other hand, ox-peckers are also benefitted from the Rhino as they get the opportunity to burrow into the sores of rhino where from they get more tasty treats. Ox-peckers get the benefit of using both the tick's and the host's blood as food sources. Due to this habit of ox-peckers, they are also known as "Vampire birds" by the biologists. By the method of animal association rhinoceros use to tolerate these vampire birds just for exchanging mutual help among each other.
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