SYMBIOSIS: OXPECKER AND ZEBRA

TACONOMY

OXPECKER

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Animalia

Phytum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Buphagidae

Genus: Buphagus

Species: buphagus africanus

ZEBRA

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Animalia

Phytum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Perissodactyla

Family: Equidae

Genus: Equus

Species: Equus quagga

ECOSYSTEM

ZEBRA

Grass Lands

Savannas

Herbavors

Feed on plants

Predators

Humans (hunting)

Lions

Hyenas

Cheetahs

OXPECKER

sub-Saharan Africa

Open habitats

Rest on Zebras

Omnivores

Eats plants and
animals (ticks,
parasits)

Removing Zebras

Vegetation will accumulate as
well as the insect population

Because Zebras won't be able to regulate the population

Lions, Cheetahs, hyenas
and more predators

Removing Oxpeckers

Herbavors health
(ex: Zebra)

Population of parasits
will increase

Risk of diseases
for the Zebra

Infections

SYMBIOSIS REALTIONSHIP

Mutualism

Both animals are benefiting

Oxpecker

The Oxpecker recives food

Ticks

Parasites

The Zebra provides
food off of it's skin

It has a place
to rest

Zebra

Oxpeckers take away
insects/parasites that
could harm the Zebra

Deases

Healthy

Has clean skin

WARMING SYSTEM

Very sharp eyes

And a very high pitch noise

HUMAN IMPACTS

Habitat destruction

Agriculture

Urbanization

Infrastructure development

Will disrupt their natural
patterns of interaction

Hunting

Population of Zebras
and Oxpeckers

The relationship
between the oxpecker
and the Zebra

All living things that rely
on Zebra's and Oxpecker's

Predators

What can Humans do to
protect the relationship
between Oxpeckers and Zebras

Protect the animals
living habitat

Reducing Agriculter,
Unbanization and
infrastrutre development

Promote conservation
of the land

Raise more awarness

Educate the Public

The public to be
more aware of their
actions

Potentially by donating to foundations
such as the wildlife foundation

The oxpecker will use these
skills and alert the Zebra, if
there is any danger

If predators are close