The Common Raven is often a scavenger, but its beak is not strong enough to tear through the thick hide of a winter-killed deer.

It will sit near the carcass and call loudly, attracting other ravens. As the mob gathers, they start making distress calls. That usually attracts a large predator, such as a wolf or coyote. They wait until the predator tears into the carcass.

At that point, 3 or 4 of them will start harassing the predator, keeping its attention, while the other ravens steal parts of the carcass. They then share what they get with the ravens that kept the predator busy.

This is an example of what kind of relationship?

1. mutualism

   Yes! In mutualism, both organisms benefit. The ravens help the predator find the carcass, and the predator tears it open so that the ravens can eat some too. Both get a benefit from the relationship.

2. commensalism

   No. In commensalism, one organism benefits, and the other is not affected. In this case, the ravens and the predator both benefit.

3. parasitism

   No. For parasitism, one organism benefits, and the other is harmed. Neither the raven nor the predator is harmed by this relationship.

4. predation

   No. In predation, one organism eats another. Neither the raven nor the predator gets eaten in this relationship.

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