noun
- animals that live in the nests or homes of other species without harming the host
Usage: biology; zoology
Examples
- Many beetle species are inquilines that live peacefully in ant colonies.
- The researcher studied inquilines found in termite mounds.
- Some inquilines benefit from the protection of their host’s nest.
- Bird inquilines often share nesting sites with other species.
- The biologist catalogued various inquilines living in bee hives.
- Inquilines differ from parasites because they don’t harm their hosts.