Story: Crabs, crayfish and other crustaceans

Whale barnacle

Whale barnacle

Whale barnacles (Coronula diadema) attach themselves to the throat and belly of humpback whales. The barnacle shell is made up of a series of calcium carbonate plates. The animal lives within these, attached by its head to a bottom plate that is embedded in the skin of a whale.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Reference: 89594

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Niel Bruce and Alison MacDiarmid, 'Crabs, crayfish and other crustaceans - Barnacles and copepods', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/8249/whale-barnacle (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Niel Bruce and Alison MacDiarmid, published 12 Jun 2006