Wildlife Wednesday - Mutualistic Relationships

by Andy Ames

Interspecies relationships are always interesting. For example, skunks and foxes hunt together in a mutualistic relationship. Despite their different sizes, both hunt similar prey. This includes just about any small animal from insects to mice and voles to birds. Skunks are low in stature and hunt nose to the ground, primarily using their sense of smell to detect prey. Also, due to their small size, they are able to enter burrows that larger animals cannot access. Foxes, on the other hand, are more upright, with longer legs, giving them a different view of their surroundings. With their large ears and keen eyesight, they are able to zero in on prey. By teaming together, the skunk and fox have all the bases covered using sight, sound, and smell. If their prey is above ground, the fox has the speed to chase it down. If it tries to escape into a burrow, the skunk can take over. While both are primarily solitary animals and capable hunters on their own rights, together they prove more successful than each on its own.

What can we take away from this? We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We are better working together.

This also been documented between badgers and coyotes. Can you think of other mutualistic relationships?