Goose barnacles

Introduction: Goose barnacles (Lepas anserifera) attach themselves to floating objects by means of long, tough fleshy stalk. Their laterally flattened bodies are enclosed by 5 white, bright shell plates. They are around 30mm long and occur in dense colonies on floating objects or on ships. Driftwood is a favoured micro-habitat.  The common name is derived from a medieval myth that they grew on barnacle geese.

Distribution: The Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Luderitz are favoured habitats within the country of Namibia.

Max size: 30mm