Symbiosis
KS3, KS4; Third Stage, Fourth Stage.
Ages 12 - 17
DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins
OVERVIEW: Nature can be downright bizarre! Filled with real-world examples, this workshop focuses on the different ways that animals interact with one another.
Pupils will investigate mutualistic, commensalistic and parasitic relationship - from crocodiles and teeth cleaning plover birds, to mind-controlled ants and malaria.
Learning Outcomes
All children will understand that organisms are interdependent and be able to give examples.
Most children will be able to define ‘parasitism’, ‘mutualism’ and ‘commensalism’.
Some children will be able to explain the impact that losing one species has on an ecosystem.
You'll get to meet some of these animals:
Coming Autumn 2025:
Free pre-lesson resources and teaching packs!
"The ZooLab Ranger tailored his content to the correct age range and ensured each pupil got a chance to interact with each animal. The children loved it!"
Southview School
What is symbiosis?
‘Symbiosis’ is a term used to describe any type of long-term, repeated interaction between two different species.
The phrase “survival of the fittest” is often used to describe the way species evolve over time. It highlights that only the most successful have offspring, passing on their genes to the next generation.
However, by using language like this, it’s easy to assume that all species in an ecosystem are constantly working against each other, and that only the most aggressive or strongest species can survive.
While it is true that predators must catch and kill their prey and parasites must take resources away from their hosts, these are only examples of a wide diversity of relationships involving multiple species collectively known as symbiosis.
Curriculum Outcomes England & Wales
Curriculum Outcomes Scotland
