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  4. Barnacles

Species group · Barnacles

Barnacles

WAnimals has 2 species of barnacle, in the family Balanidae.

2 species
1 family
17 countries
43 parks
Length
1 cm – 3 cm
Lifespan
6 years

Ranges calculated from the profiles that record the figure, not from all 2.

All 2 species of barnacles on WAnimals

Each one has its own full profile. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Not Evaluated

Acorn Barnacle

Semibalanus balanoides

17 countries30 parks45 dive sites
Not Evaluated

Rough Barnacle

Balanus balanus

17 countries34 parks22 dive sites

Conservation status

2 Not Evaluated

No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.

Where they live

Recorded in 17 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

  • Belgium2
  • Canada2
  • Denmark2
  • Finland2
  • France2
  • Germany2
  • Greenland2
  • Iceland2
  • Ireland2
  • Netherlands2
  • Norway2
  • Portugal2
  • Russia2
  • Spain2
  • Sweden2
  • United Kingdom2
  • United States2

Where to see them

  • Arrábida2 species
  • Burren2 species
  • Cíes Islands2 species
  • Dorset and East Devon Coast2 species
  • Giant's Causeway2 species
  • Gros Morne2 species
  • Kosterhavet2 species
  • Northumberland2 species
  • Oosterschelde2 species
  • Pembrokeshire Coast2 species
  • Ria Formosa2 species
  • Schiermonnikoog2 species
  • Andrea Doriadiving
  • Bay of Fundydiving
  • Bell Island Wrecksdiving
  • Block Island (Mohawk wreck)diving
  • Farne Islandsdiving
  • Farne Islands (Longstone)diving

Did you know…?

  • Joseph Connell's experiments with this species and with Chthamalus in the 1950s showed how competition and drying out sort intertidal life into bands, and are one of the foundations of modern ecology.

    From Acorn Barnacle

  • It attaches to the rock with an adhesive protein that sets underwater and is being studied for developing surgical glues.

    From Acorn Barnacle

  • Before settling, the larva explores the rock with its antennae and chooses the spot partly by the presence of other individuals of its own species.

    From Acorn Barnacle

  • A barnacle is, in truth, a crustacean lying on its back kicking food into its mouth, as Louis Agassiz put it.

    From Rough Barnacle

  • Barnacles are hermaphrodites and, being unable to move, have the longest penis in the animal kingdom relative to body size, in order to reach their neighbours.

    From Rough Barnacle

  • The cement with which they attach is one of the strongest underwater adhesives known.

    From Rough Barnacle

Ecosystems

  • Ocean2

See every species group · Explore the species one by one

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