Barnacles look like they might be related to clams, but they're actually arthropods and more closely related to lobsters and crabs. While barnacles maintain their outer shell for protection, just like other arthropods they shed their exoskeleton periodically. Their shells, however, are simply added too. Barnacles produce a cement-like substance that holds them fast to whatever surface they decide to adhere to as a larva. Once settled, a barnacle is attached to it's place for life. They attach head-first.

Scientific Name: Infraclass - Cirripedia*
*this episode specifically focuses on Superorder: Thoracica
Range: marine waters worldwide
Size: less than an inch (2.54cm) to more than 4 inches (10cm) in length
Diet: planktonic particles
Lifespan: 30+ years in larger species

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Image and Video Credits:
Penguinium -    • Barnacle feeding and reproduction  
William Beckon -    • 2014 01 01 barnacle feeding, Monterey...  
JD -    • Turtle With Barnacle on Tummy  
Ian mcleod -    • 2020-11-06.dive.gcs.barnacle   ;    • 2016-12-17 : Diving GCS - Barnacles F...  
Geordie Young -    • Barnacles on a Bottle  
sawgani550 -    • 波打ち際でエサを採るカメノテ　Goose barnacles feeding  


chelsealwood - https://flickr.com/photos/chelsealwoo... ; https://flickr.com/photos/chelsealwoo...
brewbooks - https://flickr.com/photos/brewbooks/3...
Roban Kramer - https://flickr.com/photos/robanhk/700... ; https://flickr.com/photos/robanhk/700...
Ken Mayer - https://flickr.com/photos/ken_mayer/4...


Cody Logan / Wikimedia Commons / "Giant acorn barnacles, Seaside Aquarium" / CC BY-SA 4.0 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Derek Ramsey - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Kim Hansen - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Auguste Le Roux - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
ottolarkin5 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...


Learning by action; Stichting Natuurbeelden - https://www.openbeelden.nl/media/806308
Natuur Digitaal (Marc Plomp); Stichting Natuurbeelden - https://www.openbeelden.nl/media/714047


Research Credits:
https://www.britannica.com/animal/cir...
https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...
https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/...
https://www.google.com/books/edition/...
   • Barnacles | In The Field  
   • Barnacles documentary  
   • Facts: The Acorn Barnacle  
   • Facts: The Gooseneck Barnacle  
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/...