Why Do Birds Enter Crocodiles' Jaws?

The behavior of birds entering crocodiles' jaws is an example of mutualism, a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit. Here’s why this happens:

1. Cleaning Crocodiles' Teeth

Birds, such as Egyptian plovers or cattle egrets, enter the crocodile's mouth to clean their teeth. Crocodiles often have food remnants stuck in their teeth, and the birds help by removing leftover food, parasites, and bacteria. This helps keep the crocodile’s teeth clean and potentially prevents infections.

2. Feeding on Leftover Food

Birds may also scavenge small pieces of food left in the crocodile's mouth after it feeds. Crocodiles are large predators, and sometimes they leave behind scraps that the birds can eat.

3. Safety and Protection

For the birds, approaching a crocodile might seem risky, but they take advantage of the crocodile's formidable nature. The presence of the crocodile provides protection from potential predators, such as birds of prey or terrestrial carnivores. Crocodiles are also relatively calm during these interactions and recognize that the birds pose no threat.

4. Mutual Benefits

For the crocodile: It gets its teeth cleaned and may benefit from the removal of parasites.

For the bird: It gets access to food scraps and helps reduce the parasite load on the crocodile.

Example of this Relationship:

The Egyptian plover is often cited as an example of this behavior. It has been observed to enter the mouths of crocodiles to pick out food and clean their teeth. In return, the crocodiles seem to tolerate the bird's presence, as it does not pose a threat.

Conclusion

In summary, the behavior of birds entering crocodile jaws is a fascinating example of mutualism, where both the bird and the crocodile benefit from the interaction. The bird gets food and helps clean the crocodile, and the crocodile enjoys a cleaner mouth and parasite-free teeth.