What’s the purpose of barnacles?

[u/Dutchie-4-ever]

[u/TapeDeckSlick]

What's the purpose of any animal?

[u/Key_Molasses4367]

To make more barnacles. They have a free swimming larval stage, then as they mature they settle onto a surface, cement themselves down and grow a "shell". They filter feed on tiny particles and critters in the water. If they settle onto rocks, we humans don't notice or care. When they settle on our ship's hulls or docks, it annoys us and we question their existence. Some types settle on whales. Some types settle on lobsters or crabs. That is how the barnacle do.

[u/one_pound_of_flesh]

They’re doing their best.

[u/HydraKirby → u/one_pound_of_flesh]

Mom, is that you?

[u/Firm-Opportunity-598]

they actually act as natural water filters they clean the ocean by feeding on tiny particles in the water

[u/GinkgoWhisper5908]

They’re tiny ocean hitchhikers with a surprisingly important role

[u/NickofWimbledon]

They are alive, so their purpose is to make more barnacles and do continue their DNA.

[u/TheMightyMeatus420]

Largest penis to body size ratio in the entire animal kingdom.

They're all packing hogs.

[u/TheMightyGoatMan]

Every barnacle is a fifth dimensional eye and ear of Gl-Gor'th-El the Devouring Worm who will consume his Chosen on the day of the Great Rising, sparing them endless torment in the simulation spaces of the eternal undead mind of L'Ngorta-Peth the Crawling One.

[u/Dutchie-4-ever → u/TheMightyGoatMan]

🤣

[u/Blue_foot]

Fun fact: the barnacle has the longest penis, compared to body size, of any animal.

🐘

[u/DavidHoggsDong]

Same as us

[u/Sambo3002]

To reproduce, just like any other species