Common Barnacle Balanus perforatus

Barnacles are sessile crustaceans that live in large populations along the shoreline. They have a hard conical shaped shell which is made up of overlapping plates. They are able to glue themselves to different substrates such as wood, rock, and boats etc. where they live a sedentary lifestyle. Barnacles are able to open their shells allowing them to expose their fan shaped limbs known as cirri. These move rhythmically in the water sweeping up suspended food particles in a sieve like fashion. When disturbed they will quickly withdraw their limbs back into their shells to avoid any potential danger. The common barnacle is up to 2cm in diameter.

Barnacles are very common all along the coast of Norfolk. They live on the shore zone and can often be seen at low tide on rocks and other strata.

Barnacles can be seen all year round.

European Marine Life
World Register of Marine Species

The marine environment is under pressure and by supporting campaigns for better protection of marine ecosystems we can help the common barnacle and other marine invertebrates. You can also help by joining the Wildlife Trust Living Seas campaign.