"Sometimes animals for surprising partnerships...Why does a giraffe let an oxpecker climb into its ear? Why does a crab wave an anemone like a pom-pom? Why do a coyote and a badger team up?"
I am forever impressed and constantly intrigued by the subject matter that catches the fancy of this indomitable team. I think I have mentioned previously that my mind just doesn't go where their minds do. Their curiosity is insatiable and their research impeccable.
I guess we should also mention the artwork...stunning, as always. To have the patience to create the papers, to cut those bits into exactly what is needed to produce these amazing images is quite astounding, and way beyond my scope! I find myself going back again and again to just check 'how he did that'.
The subject is symbiosis; and the author discusses some of the unique relationships that animals establish for their mutual comfort and health. Many will be familiar. Others are quite enlightening. They are indeed 'unusual partnerships'.
Get ready to learn your 'new thing' for today:
"The sparse hair of the warthog does a poor job of protecting its skin from insect pests.
An itchy warthog spots a group of mongoose. It lies down...
signalling the small, catlike mammals.
They come running...
and clamber all over the warthog, which lies quietly while
its skin is picked clean."
So much to learn, and such interesting stuff. It is a great way to get young scientists thinking about the world of nature and looking to find other symbiotic relationships. As is common with Steve Jenkins and Robin Page with their wonderfully designed nonfiction, they provide additional findings following the text. An explanation about symbiosis, as well as blocked points of interest collected as they did their research are added for those wanting more. The size, habitat and diet of all animals introduced earlier is here for those who have an abiding curiosity in the natural world...they must take lessons from this prolific team!
And just to assure that these animals are not truly altrustic:
"Animals don't form mutualistic relationships out of friendship, or from any desire to help each other. They are completely selfish and remain in these relationships only because the partnership somehow helps them survive."
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