Barnacles, small marine crustaceans, are found globally, often attaching to hard surfaces like rocks, boat hulls, and marine animals. Sea turtles, ancient reptiles, share these ocean environments, making them frequent hosts. This association raises questions about the barnacles’ impact on their hosts.
Impacts of Barnacles on Turtles
Barnacles can significantly impact a sea turtle’s well-being, particularly when infestations become extensive. A heavy covering of barnacles increases the turtle’s surface area, creating greater resistance as it moves through water. This added drag forces the turtle to expend more energy for basic activities like swimming, foraging, and migrating, potentially leading to exhaustion. When barnacles accumulate around critical areas such as the flippers, they can hinder movement and maneuverability, further compromising the turtle’s ability to navigate or escape predators.
Beyond physical obstruction, some barnacle species can damage the turtle’s shell and soft tissues. While many adhere to the outer shell, burrowing species like Chelonibia testudinaria can embed into the skin and shell. This action compromises shell integrity, leading to lesions, irritation, and open wounds susceptible to secondary infections. Barnacles near the eyes, nostrils, or mouth can obstruct vision, impede breathing, or interfere with feeding, threatening the turtle’s survival.
Factors Affecting Severity
The severity of a barnacle infestation is influenced by several factors. The specific barnacle species plays a role; surface-dwelling barnacles cause less harm than burrowing types that penetrate host tissues. While Chelonibia testudinaria is common, large numbers can indicate underlying issues.
A turtle’s health and species determine its vulnerability to barnacle overgrowth. Healthy, active turtles manage barnacle loads better, but sick or debilitated individuals show reduced grooming, leading to higher accumulation. Some species, like loggerheads, are more prone to heavy infestations than others, such as green sea turtles. Location of attachment also impacts severity; barnacles on the main carapace are less problematic than those on sensitive areas like eyes, nostrils, mouth, or joints.
The density and duration of the infestation are considerations. A few barnacles pose minimal threat, but high density covering large areas over prolonged periods can lead to health complications. Extensive colonization can indicate a turtle’s declining health or a pre-existing condition, rather than the sole cause of ailments.
Natural and Assisted Removal
Sea turtles possess natural mechanisms to manage barnacle growth. One method involves periodic shedding of keratinous scutes, which dislodges attached barnacles. Turtles also self-groom, rubbing their shells against hard surfaces like rocks or coral to scrape off barnacles and algae. Some fish species act as “cleaners,” picking barnacles off turtles. Healthy, active turtles are more effective at these natural removal processes.
When natural methods are insufficient, human intervention may be necessary, especially for stranded or impacted turtles. Marine animal rehabilitation centers provide professional care for heavy barnacle loads. A common technique involves placing the turtle in a freshwater tank; the osmotic difference causes barnacles to loosen or die, making them easier to remove without harming the turtle. Trained staff carefully remove barnacles to avoid injuring the skin or shell, as improper removal can cause damage and introduce infections. The public should avoid attempting to remove barnacles from wild turtles without expert guidance, as this can cause stress and harm.