Chapter
Eastern Screech Owls Help Blind Snakes
01:10 - 06:28 (05:18)
Eastern screech owl hatchlings that are raised in nests where there are blind snakes embedded in them typically grow bigger and stronger. The Eastern screech owl feeds a bunch of blind snakes to their chicks, which usually would be bad for the snakes, but benefits the owls.
Clips
Commensalism describes a type of relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is unharmed by their association, unlike mutualism in which both partners benefit.
01:10 - 03:44 (02:33)
Summary
Commensalism describes a type of relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is unharmed by their association, unlike mutualism in which both partners benefit. The term commensalism refers to an animal benefiting another animal or organism simply by going about its own business.
ChapterEastern Screech Owls Help Blind Snakes
EpisodeShort Stuff: Commensalism
PodcastStuff You Should Know
Blind snakes embedded in Eastern screech owl nests help their hatchlings grow bigger and stronger, so the owls bring them back to their nests to feed their chicks, resulting in a lower mortality rate for the blind snakes.
03:44 - 06:28 (02:44)
Summary
Blind snakes embedded in Eastern screech owl nests help their hatchlings grow bigger and stronger, so the owls bring them back to their nests to feed their chicks, resulting in a lower mortality rate for the blind snakes.