White Rhinos and Thick Skin!

The white rhinoceros was once on the verge of extinction but is a conservation success story. The population is now thought to be over 18,000, although they still need protection from hunters who prize their horns. Poachers and the illegal trade in rhino body parts are still a threat to this species. They are the second largest mammal in the world so it is strange to see them bothered by an animal as small as a tick and rescued by a pair of little turtles! Yet, this perfectly demonstrates the complex relationships between different species. Also, white rhinos are not white at all, as we can see from this up-close shot of their grey skin. In fact, their name has been derived from ‘wide’ which describes their broad muzzle. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa and like to live on savanna, grassland and shrubland. Rhinos are very social and live in groups but they also have animals living ON them namely the rhinoceros-specific ticks. No may people realize that should rhinos become extinct, the ticks would also disappear.

Turtles as Tick Removers

Africa is home to many different species of turtle. Many turtles are omnivores so they will eat both plant and animal material. Rhinos supply an abundant amount of insects for the turtles to feast on. Some turtles live in water, some are land-based and some are semi-aquatic. Turtles are pretty opportunistic when it comes to food and will take advantage of whatever food source is presented to them. People who keep turtles as pets can feed them on special turtle pellets but they also enjoy cooked chicken and beef. They also like live prey such as crickets. When it comes to plants, they like to eat leafy greens and dandelions. But owners should avoid spinach and chives as they contain high levels of oxalates which are not good for turtles. However, turtles enjoy fruit such as apples and bananas. The turtles are clearly not put off by the rhino’s size and are comfortable being this close. They have a protective shell and as the rhino is in the water, they are also capable of swimming away should they need to!

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title: “Watch Two Turtles Eat Ticks Off A White Rhino " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-02” author: “Chad Frost”

The short video shows two turtles piled on top of each other eating a cluster of juicy, fleshy (probably) ticks. The turtles are the only moving elements in the video. In other words, the rhino is not bothered by the two guests. The animal might be appreciative of their service.

Why Did Ticks Gather in a Clump on the Rhino?

Two things ticks love — carbon dioxide and sweat. Judging from the video below, the clump of ticks is located at a joint, where two bones meet, and a lot of skin gathers. It is, in short, an area that sees a lot of sweat daily, especially when it’s extremely hot outside. This is the only reason ticks gather in such large amounts, as ticks are not social insects. Unlike bees and ants, they don’t form communal colonies.

What Do Turtles Eat in the Wild?

Most turtles are known as opportunistic eaters. In short, they will feed on anything that crosses their path, from earthworms to snails, caterpillars, grubs, fruits, flowers, berries, and so on – including ticks. Thanks to their strong bite and a rather solid mouth overall, turtles can simply rip ticks off of their skin without much effort. As you can see in the video, almost every time one of the turtles reaches out for a tick, its hunt is successful. Have a closer look; you can see the ticks coming off one by one while the skin around the infested area seems to shiver with relief. Naturally, turtles aren’t the only animals that keep pests away from rhinos. A couple of bird species (oxpeckers, for example) are known as the rhino’s guard, as they feed on ticks, parasites, and insects that decide to bother the imposing animals. Unfortunately, as imposing as rhinos are, they can’t keep insects and small parasites at bay and, as such, expose themselves to various diseases that the latter spread. On the other hand, there are also birds that only seem to help rhinos. Known as tick birds, these keep the wounds of a rhino clean – again, from ticks or other parasites. However, this isn’t the only reason why they keep wounds this way. Tick birds keep these wounds open to have a steady stream of blood to drink from. This might apply to any bird of this type. After all, the process of removing a tick can’t be completed carefully by a wild bird – there’s bound to be some rhino meat in a turtle’s diet that feeds on ticks from the former’s leg.

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