In Africa, there is a bird species that regularly has a mutualistic relationship with large animals such as buffalo, cattle, zebras, impalas, hippos, and rhinos.
These birds, known as Oxpeckers or commonly referred to as tick birds eat various parasites, small insects, buffalo fly larvae, and other ectoparasites off the animals' skin. They are a type of bird that feeds on parasites and is often seen perching on the backs of these animals.
Hippopotamuses and oxpeckers are often mutually beneficial friends in the wild. However, this young hippopotamus living in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia seems to be less than thrilled with this friendship and ran away in fear when a group of oxpeckers got too close.
Hippos and oxpeckers are often mutualistic in the wild, providing benefits to each other. However, a young hippo living in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia seemed to be unimpressed with this friendship and ran away in fear when a group of oxpeckers approached.
The moment of the hippo's frightened escape was captured by 56-year-old Swiss tourist Marc Mol, who was walking in the park. As the oxpeckers landed on the hippo's back, it suddenly ran and shook from side to side in an attempt to get rid of the uninvited guests.
According to Marc, who was initially surprised by the young hippo's strange behavior, he understood what was happening when he saw the red and yellow oxpeckers on the hippo's back.
After about 10 seconds of shaking, the hippo successfully chased the unwanted visitors away. Marc believes that the young hippo may have been too small to experience the benefits of having oxpeckers catch bugs and parasites on its body.
