You have undoubtedly seen them in a documentary or in person during a trip to Africa. But who are they and what do they do?
Animal species that live in the same habitat can interact with each other. There are six types namely: mutualism, predalism, commensalism, parasitism, matriarchy and symbiosis. Any animal in the world can carry fleas, lice, ticks and worms. A parasitic infection and skin infections have also not been proven.
Sometimes an ectoparasitic infection (fleas, lice, ticks) attracts desirable insectivorous bird species, such as the hooded crow or oxpeckers. This is also called symbiosis. Both parties initially experience a positive influence. The giraffe, zebra or rhino are rid of their parasites and in return the bird enjoys a tasty meal.
However, there is a caveat to this symbiosis. When the giraffe, zebra or rhino has suffered a wound, for example after a fight with a predator or fellow animal, this attracts flies that deposit their eggs in the wound. The flies attract the oxpeckers, which then continue to peck at the wound. This interrupts the healing process and can lead to a larger infection.
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