Unusual Animal Friendships

Many animals, despite being from different species, create mutual bonds like no other. The same could be said about a dog that just gave birth, may take in a litter of kittens. In the passage, “Animal Roles and Relationships,” we read about different animal relationships. While they are from different species, they can come together for the benefit of both species, and themselves as well. An example of this is the hermit crab and the sea anemone. “Hermit crabs use their pincers to tap sea anemones. Once bother, the same anemones attach themselves to their hermit crabs’ shells. The crabs then give the anemones rides along the bottom of the ocean. In exchange for the free ride, the anemones protect the crabs from octopuses and other predators.
The author explains that some bonds cannot be explained. One of these examples could be a dog and a cat, however when a dog fosters a litter of kittens after giving birth, the topic is a little different. In the first passage, “Animal Roles and Relationships,” the topic of parental instinct is mentioned in paragraph 3. The author states that, “ Lionesses also have strong parental instincts. Not only do they care for their own cubs, but they will take care of each other’s cubs as well,” which may explain why a dog who just gave birth may take in a litter of kittens. Most animals in the animal kingdom are born with, ‘parental instinct,’ where animals will hold feelings towards their young, such as, protection, providing, and care-giving, When the dog has her young, she may be caught up in the maternal instinct, she will want to take care of her young, and may mistake the kittens as her own. The parental instinct would now instead of making her feel aggressive towards felines, it could make her feel affectionate to the young. Which means the dog may take in the litter of kittens, and the act of commensalism would be present. While the kittens are receiving care, food, and protection, the dog is receiving nothing, but parental instinct makes the dog want to care for the kittens. Therefore, a relationship where a