Barnacles

Barnacles are tiny sea creatures that live in the ocean. They glue themselves to hard surfaces and stay there for life. Even though they look like shells, they are actually related to crabs and lobsters. Barnacles can be found on rocks, ships, and the backs of whales.

How Barnacles Live

A baby barnacle swims in the water until it finds a good spot to live. Once it picks a place, it sticks its head down and glues itself in place. Then it grows hard plates around its body for protection. Barnacles eat by kicking their feathery legs out to catch tiny bits of food floating by. They live in groups, which helps them find mates.

Where They Are Found

Barnacles live in oceans all over the world. You can often see them at the beach when the tide goes out. They like rocky shores, docks, and tide pools. Some barnacles even ride on sea turtles and whales. Sailors have a hard time keeping them off the bottoms of ships.

Fun Facts

• Barnacle glue is one of the strongest natural glues in the world.
• A barnacle spends most of its life upside down.
• Some barnacles can live for more than 20 years.

Did You Know?

Scientists study barnacle glue to try to make better medical glues for doctors to use on people.