Whale Barnacle
Cryptolepas rhachianecti
Whale Barnacle on a whale
Whale barnacles connect to the whale by there mouths and where food is always present when they are feeding. They are most common on filter feeding whales. There is not just one species of barnacles there are many.
They are from the family of Coronulidae
Coronula diadema
Lives only on humpback whale skin. They do not cause harm to the whale. They live in peace and off each other. They eat plankton that the whale has swam through.
FUN FACTS
Barnacles are filter feeders.
They have numerous predators.
They are thought to be one of the oldest living species on the planet.
They are not affected by the pollution in the ocean.