The beauty of symbiosis in nature 🧵 1. The thinner tree was cut down years ago, and the larger one has been…

The beauty of symbiosis in nature 🧵 1. The thinner tree was cut down years ago, and the larger one has been supporting and feeding it since then. They "wake up" together in the spring and "go to sleep" together in the autumn. This natural phenomenon is known as inosculation.

2. An unexpected duo, a coyote and a badger, traveling together through a tunnel under a highway. Coyotes and badgers are known to hunt together, combining their specific skills to increase the likelihood of catching prey.

3. A fantastic shot by Clint Ralph of a Cape Buffalo and a Red-billed Oxpecker taking a drink together. These little birds keep the buffalo safe from parasites by eating ticks and dead skin. In return, they get a free ride and a constant buffet.

4. Pom Pom crab The "pom-poms" are sea anemones with stinging tentacles that crabs use both to capture food and to avoid predation. In exchange for this protection, the crabs feed the sea anemones.

5. The trunk of an oak tree serves as a nest of an albar pine. Both trees are alive and have been sharing living space for more than a century. The pine reaches 15 meters high and is 130 years old, while the oak measures 12.5 meters and is 250 years old.

6. An exhausted bee asleep inside a flower Pollination is the perfect example of mutualism, demonstrating the symbiotic relationship between flowering plants and their animal pollinators.

7. Herodotus describes the relationship between the Nile crocodile and the Egyptian plover, a small bird that nests on riverbanks. The bird cleans the crocodile's teeth, feeding on leftover food bits and parasites.

8. This stunning video by Lawrence Chatton showcases a unique symbiotic relationship: jackdaws gather material for a comfy nest while giving a free trim to the moulting red deer.

9. Some tarantula species have evolved mutualistic relationships with frogs. The tarantula provides protection from predators, while the frog helps by eating ants and other insects that could threaten the tarantula's eggs.

10. Clownfish live symbiotically with sea anemones, gaining protection from predators while helping the anemones by removing debris. x.com/Visionaledge/s…

11. Butterflies will sometimes land on caimans and drink their salty "crocodile tears" to survive. In return, the caimans receive eye care and are left feeling fabulous. On a more serious note, it's believed that caimans naturally shed tears while enjoying a meal.

12. Symbiosis at its best: a shrimp doing dental work for a moray eel.

13. Sloths often turn green from algae growing on their fur, making them hard to spot up in the trees. It's a win-win: the algae get a safe and steady home, and the sloth gains natural camouflage.

14. Symbiosis between Acacia plant and ant colony

15. When a leaf falls, a leaf miner larvae may keep part of it green and alive. This is due to a symbiotic relationship where the larvae protect its feeding area, forming a "Green Island" while the rest of the leaf dies.

16. Warthog getting "spa treatment" from a troop of mongooses Just like the Cape buffalo and the red-billed oxpecker, warthogs and mongooses have a special relationship: the warthog is relieved of parasites, while the mongoose enjoys a meal.

17. Pistol shrimp and gobies make great roommates on the ocean floor: the shrimp digs a hole, while the goby stands guard, protecting both the shrimp and its burrow.

18. Remoras have evolved their front dorsal fins into suction cups, allowing them to attach to passing sharks. In a mutualistic relationship, they feed on scraps of prey and remove parasites from the shark's skin and mouth.

19. Similar to their interaction with caimans, butterflies rely on turtles for a source of sodium and minerals by drinking their salty tears, while the turtles enjoy the benefit of having their eyes cleaned.

20. A wolf getting pranked by a raven. This is one of nature's most beautiful symbiotic relationships. Ravens alert wolves to threats while they feed, and in return, the wolves leave food for them. Between feedings, they often travel and play together.