Mutualism is a type of symbiosis that occurs when two unlike organisms live together in a state that is mutually beneficial. 1 Mutualism is unlike the symbiotic state of commensalism in that commensalism is a one-sided state in which a host gives and a guest takes, while in mutualism both partners live on a give-and-take basis. In the African wilds, the zebra and the ostrich enjoy a symbiotic relationship that enhances the ability of each of these large land animals to survive. 2 However, when the zebra and the ostrich collaborate in their defence by alerting each other to possible danger from an approaching predator, the lion is rarely able to capture more than the oldest or feeblest of the herd. The complementary physical strengths and weaknesses of the ostrich and the zebra allow them to work in coordination to avoid succumbing to the lion. The ostrich, the largest flightless bird in the world, possesses great speed and keen eyesight. 3 The zebra, with a running speed equal to that of the ostrich, has excellent hearing and a good sense of smell but lacks the sharp eyesight of the ostrich. When ostriches and zebras intermix for grazing, each animal benefits from the ability of the other to detect approaching danger. 4 With the running speed that both of these animals possess, they are able to outrun any predator except the cheetah. 5 Ostriches are very beneficial by providing a better of sight that zebra’s lack. 6 Zebras are beneficial to the ostrich by providing a sharp sense of hearing and smell which ostriches lack. Therefore, as mentioned above, these species employ a mutualistic relationship. The ostrich and zebra both benefit by utilizing each other’s senses and protecting one another from predators.