Sweet Embrace Between Two Unlikely Friends Captured
Animals all over the world, both domestic and wild, continue to surprise us humans with the affection they share with one another. It can be easy to forget or dismiss that these creatures have deep feelings of fondness and love, even if they don’t communicate in the same way we do.
Fortunately, we get to catch glimpses of these affectionate interactions more frequently, thanks to the internet and social media. Recently, wildlife guide and photographer Zaheer Ali was taking a family through the South African bush on a safari trip when they came across a sweet moment.
The safari group encountered a solo rhino munching on some grass. Ali noted that the family he was hosting included small children, so he took this opportunity to teach them about this spectacular animal and the concept of commensalism.
This is the long-term biological interaction in which members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species neither benefit nor are harmed. In this instance, it refers to the relationship between a rhino and an oxpecker.
Ali's safari group admired the rhino from a safe distance while he shared information about the symbiotic relationship between rhinos and oxpecker birds. It was during this time that Ali noticed an oxpecker resting on the rhino's horn.
With his camera at the ready, Ali didn’t notice anything particularly picture-worthy at first. His patience was soon rewarded, as moments later, the bird leaned into the rhino, appearing to snuggle close to its friend.
The oxpecker, with its eyes closed, looked completely blissful with its rhino companion. Both animals were totally relaxed and content in each other's presence.
Ali managed to capture an image of this tender moment that beautifully exemplified the symbiotic relationship these mismatched friends share.
Affection Isn't Solely a Human Trait
Oxpeckers Are an Extremely Common Sight in the African Savanna
They share a symbiotic relationship with many animals, such as zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and especially rhinos. The oxpecker is a red-billed bird that can often be found traveling along on the backs and heads of black rhinos.
These birds feed on parasites, like ticks and fly larvae, found on the rhino’s tough skin. This helps relieve the massive animal of unwanted parasites.
In turn, the rhino’s large size provides the birds with not only a safe place to call home but also plenty of food.
Timing Is Everything
“I watched as this tiny bird sharpened its beak on the horn of the rhino, and it was something I’d never seen before,” Ali wrote in a Zali Safari blog post. “I picked up my camera and waited for the right moment, taking the shot as the bird lay on the horn of the rhino.”
Rhinos Have Extremely Poor Eyesight, So the Oxpeckers Help Make Up for That by Alerting Them to Any Danger
The Swahili name for the red-billed oxpecker is "Askari wa kifaru," which translates to “the rhino’s guard.” A study showed that although the oxpeckers grow to be about 8 inches in size, these small birds manage to help protect their enormous companions.
Sounding the Alarm
It has been noted by Dr. William Doherty, a family therapist, that when oxpeckers detect humans nearby, they emit a distinct call or hiss to alert their rhino companions. This behavior is crucial, as it signals the rhinos to remain vigilant about their surroundings. "The relationship between oxpeckers and rhinos is a fascinating illustration of interspecies cooperation, demonstrating how different species can enhance each other's survival," says Dr. Doherty. The alarm calls of oxpeckers can significantly aid the critically endangered species in evading poachers, who hunt rhinos for their horns, often for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Nature shows us time and again that love and affection aren’t limited by size, shape, or species. The massive rhino and its tiny bird friend are an adorable example of that.
Perhaps this mutually supportive relationship can inspire us to lean in and be vulnerable with equally unlikely connections in our lives.
If you enjoyed this sweet moment, please share it with your friends and family.
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