Ocean Partners

This passage explores how whales interact with other ocean creatures through different types of relationships. It explains mutualism, showing how birds and fish benefit when whales push prey toward the surface, and commensalism, where barnacles ride on whales and gain food without harming them. The text also describes parasitism, in which organisms like whale lice feed on whales and cause irritation or wounds. Finally, it shows how whales help keep ecosystems balanced by moving nutrients and supporting food webs for countless sea animals.

Students are introduced to precise academic vocabulary like mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, boosting their content knowledge and word recognition. The clearly labeled sections guide students to practice classification and compare-and-contrast skills as they sort relationships into different types. By explaining how one species affects another, the passage strengthens critical thinking about ecosystems and interdependence. It also helps students read and understand explanatory nonfiction, a key skill for success in science and language arts.