Question

read the passage.
thanks to their massive builds and thick, pointed horns, rhinoceroses loom large with their intimidating presence. for this reason, it may be surprising to see small red - beaked birds called oxpeckers resting nonchalantly atop their backs. however, these unlikely companions enjoy a symbiotic relationship. in swahili, oxpeckers are known as askari wa kifaru, which translates to \the rhinos guard,\ as they play a pivotal role in helping protect rhinoceroses against tick bites. by feeding on ticks they find on the rhinos, oxpeckers satisfy their own dietary needs while simultaneously keeping rhinoceroses parasitic populations in check. in addition, perching atop these colossal creatures provides oxpeckers with an important vantage point. unlike rhinoceroses, they have excellent eyesight and are able to spot nearby lions, hyenas, and human poachers from a distance. when oxpeckers sense danger, they make a hissing call that warns rhinos about potential enemies.
based on the passage, what best describes the relationship between oxpeckers and rhinoceroses?

• oxpeckers eat harmful ticks off of rhinoceroses and alert these animals to possible threats.
• oxpeckers take advantage of rhinoceroses huge size to build nests on these animals backs.
• oxpeckers scare off animals and humans that might be dangerous to rhinoceroses.
• oxpeckers powerful eyesight helps guide rhinoceroses to food sources that are far away.

Explanation:

The passage states oxpeckers eat ticks on rhinos to meet their dietary needs and control parasites, and they use their good eyesight to spot danger and make a hissing call to warn rhinos. The first option matches these two key behaviors. The other options are not supported: the passage does not mention nest-building, oxpeckers do not scare off threats directly, and they do not guide rhinos to food.

Answer:

Oxpeckers eat harmful ticks off of rhinoceroses and alert these animals to possible threats.