When two species of wildlife live together for the benefit of both, what is the relationship called?

The relationship in which two species of wildlife live together for the mutual benefit of both is known as mutualism. This ecological interaction is characterized by both species deriving advantages from their association, which can include benefits such as food, shelter, or assistance in reproduction. For example, bees and flowering plants exemplify mutualism: bees obtain nectar from flowers as a food source, while the flowers benefit from the pollination services provided by the bees, which help them reproduce.

In contrast, commensalism involves one species benefiting while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Parasitism, on the other hand, involves one species benefiting at the expense of the other, typically causing harm to the host. Predation refers to one species (the predator) feeding on another (the prey), which does not benefit the prey species. Thus, the correct term for the mutually beneficial relationship is mutualism, highlighting the cooperative nature of the interaction between the species involved.