Into the Jaws of Death
tags: plover, crocodile, Inner Species Cooperation, creationism, symbiosis, egyptian plover, crocodile, nile crocodile, Intelligent design
handout id: 3248
short name: Into the Jaws of Death
nutshell: Plover and crocodile
Wording of this Handout:
The Egyptian Plover does something no human would ever want to do. It walks around inside the open jaws of a wild crocodile!
Yes, its true. The Nile Crocodile seems to know that the plover is doing it a service so it doesn't close its jaws.
All he needs to do is snap his jaws shut and Zap! A free meal! But he keeps his mighty jaws open, while the little bird hops around inside, picking bits of food off his teeth and cleaning up his mouth.
Easier than using a toothbrush suppose!
The plover keeps the crocodile's mouth clean, and also sings a warning when danger comes, and the crocodile protects the plover from harm. They work together - team work!
But how does the crocodile know that he must keep his mouth open for this bird?
God, who made them, put the wisdom into them so they would know.