barnacles

Barnacles are small marine crustaceans that attach themselves to surfaces like rocks, ships, and even whales. They have hard outer shells and live in saltwater environments. As adults, barnacles are sessile, meaning they remain fixed in place. They feed by filtering plankton and small particles from the water using specialized appendages called cirri. Barnacles reproduce by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization occurs. Although often seen as a nuisance, especially for boaters, they play a role in marine ecosystems and serve as food for various marine animals.