Symbiotic Relationships in Nature

Nature provides some great models of competition and cooperation. One of the most striking examples is the symbiotic relationship between crocodiles and the Egyptian Plover bird. Typically, crocodiles eat anything and everything, including birds. However, the crocodile makes an exception for the Plover by allowing the bird to crawl into its mouth and clean its teeth. By cooperating the plover is able to eat and the crocodile maintains its teeth and is able to capture future meals. The cycle continues and both animals are better off together than individually.

References:
Odd Couple
<< http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0601/articles/mainarticle.html>>

Crocodiles
<< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile>>

Egyptian Plover
<< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Plover>>