What is the bird that cleans crocodile teeth?

What is the bird that cleans crocodile teeth?

plover bird
Most of them are too afraid to help, except for one brave and clever plover bird who uses her knowledge of making medicine to work out a deal with the crocodile! Herodotus, the Greek traveler and historian, first wrote in the Fifth century BC that plover birds cleaned the teeth of the Nile River crocodile.

Does crocodile eat bird?

What do crocodiles eat? Crocodiles are carnivores, which mean they eat only meat. In the wild, they feast on fish, birds, frogs and crustaceans. At the zoo, they eat small animals that have already been killed for them, such as rats, fish or mice.

What bird cleans the crocodiles teeth?

The Egyptian Plover bird recognizes this invitation, and if one is nearby it will fly into the mouth of the crocodile, eat the food stuck in its teeth, and fly away. The plover gets a meal and the crocodile gets a valuable tooth cleaning: they both benefit.

Do crocodiles ever eat the birds that clean their teeth?

You might think that if a bird landed in the mouth of a crocodile, the crocodile would eat it. Egyptian Plovers and crocodiles have a unique symbiotic relationship. Because crocodiles can’t use dental floss, they get food stuck in their teeth. All that food rots their teeth and probably causes them some pain.

How does an Egyptian plover relate to a crocodile?

Egyptian plovers and crocodiles have a unique symbiotic relationship. Because crocodiles cannot use dental floss, they get food stuck in their teeth. All that food rots their teeth and probably causes them some pain. When the crocodile feels the need for a good tooth cleaning it will sit with its mouth wide open.

Can a plover fly into a crocodile’s mouth?

The Egyptian plover bird sees the invitation, and if one is nearby it will fly into the mouth of the crocodile, eat the food stuck in its teeth, and fly away unharmed.

What kind of relationship does a crocodile have with a human?

Indeed, they have what is known as a symbiotic relationship, also known as Mutualism. As you know, Crocodiles are predators and eat meat. While you as a human can floss your teeth to clean out any leftover bits that may get stuck in them, Crocodiles don’t know how to floss (and I don’t think you’ll find floss in the wild)!

Why are crocodiles unable to use dental floss?

Crocodiles can’t use dental floss, they get food stuck in their teeth. All that food rots their teeth and probably causes some pain. When a crocodile feels the need