What is the relationship called when two species of wildlife live together for mutual benefit?

The relationship where two species of wildlife live together for mutual benefit is known as mutualism. In this type of interaction, both species involved gain advantages that enhance their survival, growth, or reproductive success. For example, certain plants and pollinators engage in mutualism; the plant provides nectar as a food source for the pollinator, while the pollinator aids in the plant's reproduction by facilitating pollination.

While symbiosis encompasses a broad range of interactions where two organisms live in close physical proximity, not all symbiotic relationships are mutually beneficial. Commensalism, on the other hand, describes a relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Parasitism involves one organism benefiting at the expense of the other, often causing harm to the host. Therefore, mutualism specifically captures the essence of both species benefiting from their relationship.