Rat-Kangaroos: Potoroidae

RAT-KANGAROOS AND FUNGI: HELPING EACH OTHER

Rat-kangaroos eat the parts of fungi that grow underground and contain the spores. Spores are the reproductive part of the fungi, similar to a tiny seed. Rat-kangaroos eat the fungi for energy. When the fungi are digested, the spores become activated and ready to grow. The spores leave the rat-kangaroo's body in its waste and are ready to grow into new fungi. In this way, the spores are spread to new areas. This type of relationship between two species where both gain something and neither is harmed is called mutualism.