Goose Barnacles get their common name from their feathery cirri that look a bit like the feathers of a bird. When the barnacles drifted ashore attached to logs it was thought that they were the eggs of geese.
Common name: Goose Barnacle
Scientific name: Lepas australis
Photo: W. Rudman
Have you ever gone beachcombing? As well as Goose Barnacles, what animals, animal bits or human rubbish can you find on the beach?
Beach
Goose Barnacle
Goose Barnacles have a long rubbery stalk about 3.5 cm in length. They have five plates or shells that protect the body and feathery limbs called 'cirri'.
Goose Barnacles attach to objects like pieces of wood.
Goose Barnacles live in the southern oceans around Australia and New Zealand. They are found on objects floating in the sea.
Goose Barnacles eat plankton. Goose Barnacles poke their feathery cirri out of their shells and use them to push water towards their mouth.
Fish and birds eat Goose Barnacles.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
