Question

which interaction described below represents the interaction known as mutualism? a herd of deer is eating the same crop of acorns that a group of squirrels is trying to eat. snowshoe hares in deep snow attempt to outrun lynxes which are trying to catch and eat them. a tick makes its home on the ear of a dog and obtains nutrition and a place to live. an oxpecker eats the parasites off of the back of a rhinoceros and gains nutrition and safety.

Explanation:

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. In the case of the oxpecker and the rhinoceros, the oxpecker gets nutrition from eating parasites and safety by being on the rhino, while the rhino benefits from having the parasites removed. The first option is competition, the second is predation, and the third is parasitism.

Answer:

D. An oxpecker eats the parasites off of the back of a rhinoceros and gains nutrition and safety.