Question

2. In Africa, Nile crocodiles can often be seen lying in the sun, their jaws held open. Small white egrets perch on the crocodiles’ backs or hop in and out of their mouths. The birds also peck at the crocodile’s teeth, feeding on the scraps of food embedded there. Although crocodiles do eat some birds, they do not eat egrets.

a. What is the term for the relationship between the crocodiles and the egrets?

b. Explain this relationship.

Answer 1

Mutualistic symbiotic relationship

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The relationship between egrets and the crocodile is a form of symbiotic relationship that is predominantly mutualistic relationship

2. In a mutualistic symbiotic relationship , two species associate with each other in order to benefit each other. Here egrets feed on food scrap stuck in the teeth of crocodile to feed itself while on the other hand crocodile is also benefited as the waste left out of food stuck in its teeth is cleaned off.

Answer 2

Based on the given description above, the relationship between the crocodiles and the egrets shows a symbiotic relationship, particularly, COMMENSALISM. This kind of relationship exists when one specie benefits from and the other does not gain nor lose anything. Hope this answer helps.