Nature’s Odd Couples: The 6 Wildest Animal Friendships You Need to See

These relationships might surprise you. There are some animals that forge lifelong relationships with other organisms in order to make their days a little easier or even more enjoyable. Read on to find out more about these unexpected and unique partnerships in the animal world!

1. Plover Birds and Crocodiles

The Egyptian plover bird is a small bird that is frequently called the crocodile bird. They have a very distinct appearance with their black crowns and a dark pattern that surrounds their eyes like a mask. Some even have vibrant orange parts under their wings and on their legs. Plovers live along the sandbars of large rivers in areas of sub-Saharan Africa such as Chad and Sudan. They’re considered to be very tame and gentle birds; however, it could be said that they have the hearts of lions because these cool-looking flyers are often found in the mouths of crocodiles.

What are they doing there? They’re crocodile dentists! Crocodiles welcome plovers into their mouths so that the birds can eat parasites, tissues, and other matter from their teeth and gums. The plovers get a meal, and the crocodile gets a deep cleaning. Humans aren’t the only animals that need to take care of their teeth. Rotting food can also cause decay and discomfort for crocodiles.

2. Egrets and Water Buffalo

Another unique partnership in the animal kingdom can be seen between egrets and water buffalo. This interesting pair is found across areas of Africa, Asia, and even parts of Europe. These two animals could not be any more different. The water buffalo is the largest member of the Bovini tribe which boasts impressive beasts like yak, bison, and other cattle. On the other hand, egrets are delicate white wading birds with long necks and thin legs.

Egrets will often hitch a ride on the backs of buffalos as they forage for food. The water buffalo allow the birds to stay close by so that they can pick off annoying insects such as ticks and flies. In return, the buffalos indirectly protect the egrets from predators and the egrets also get a steady supply of food without having to look too far.

3. Remora Fish and Sharks

There are eight documented species of remora fish. This group of fish are known as suckerfish because of their ability to attach to other marine entities. They do this using a flat area of tissue on the top of their heads made up of modified dorsal fins. The grooves between these dorsal fins create a suction force that allows the remora to bind with other organisms.

Like plovers, remoras eat scraps of food dropped by their hosts. They will also consume parasites on the shark’s skin. As one of the apex predators of the ocean, sharks give the remoras protection and, in turn, the shark stay parasite-free. Interestingly, sharks aren’t the only thing remoras have stick to. These long fish have also been found attached to other animals (whales, turtles, and rays) and even ships.

4. Clown Fish and Sea Anemones

If you’ve ever seen the movie Finding Nemo, you’d know that clownfish live in anemones. At first glance, you might think that the sea anemone is a plant. But they are actually marine animals that are closely related to jellyfish and coral! Using their long and flexible tentacles, they are master hunters that stun and catch prey that come too close.

Clownfish are one of the few fish species that have evolved to tolerate the sharp sting of an anemone. Their bodies produce a layer of mucus that protects them from anemone toxins. With this ability, they can not only come close, clownfish can build their dens within anemones to protect themselves and their food from other animals. Clownfish get a safe place to call home, while the anemone gets food brought to them.

5. Drongos and Meerkats

Lions, jackals, and hyenas roam the savannas of Africa searching for prey. With these fierce hunters on the prowl, it’s no wonder animals have come up with ways to look out for each other. Meerkats are very social animals that live in large groups called mobs. Members will take turns scouting for potential threats and when one is detected, they let out alarm calls telling their mob members to scatter.

Fork-tailed drongos (also called the African drongo) saw how effective this warning system was decided to take advantage of it. These clever birds learned how to mimic a meerkat’s alarm call, tricking mobs into fleeing and stealing food that’s left behind. Despite this playful prank, drongos do genuinely alert meerkats too in the presence of real dangers. Over time, the meerkats also learn how to differentiate between a real call and a drongos imitation. In many ways, they’re kind of like siblings! It’s a relationship with a mix of support, trust, and occasional trickery.

6. Oxpeckers and Rhinos

The partnership between an oxpecker and a rhino is another example of mutualism, but with a twist. Oxpeckers are small birds commonly found in Africa and are often observed riding on the backs of larger herbivores like rhinos and giraffes. They help the large animals by feeding on parasites, keeping the grazers comfortable and healthy. They’ve also been seen pecking at healing wounds to keep them clean. Conversely, rhinos are massive creatures with some weighing over a ton. Armed with a powerful body and an imposing horn, they offer oxpeckers security and protection.

In most cases, the relationship is mutualistic and beneficial to both species. But it can become complicated when oxpeckers feed on more than just parasites and dead tissue. They will sometimes peck at open wounds which can be harmful and painful for the rhinos. In these situations, the relationship becomes more of a parasitic one where the oxpecker is now benefiting at the expense of the rhino. Like many other relationships in nature, it’s a game of give and take. Sometimes, one party receives more rewards than the other.