Egrets are strangely equal-opportunity symbiotics – they will ride on the backs of all kinds of large mammals, picking parasites from their fur or skin to nourish themselves, which, in turn, frees these animals of their burden – often kicked up to their backs while walking. Moreover, it is suspected that egrets also are more sensitive to changes in their surroundings and vigilant than their steeds, making them good at early warnings when it comes to environmental predators or other dangers.