Whale & Barnacle
The most well known parasite that affects whales are barnacles. Parasitic
barnacles and barnacles that attach themselves to rocks or passing ships differ
slightly in their body's makeup. Barnacles are a very variable species, but the
parasitic variety usually infest sharks, sea turtles, and baleen whales. Faster moving whales are usually immune from barnacle infestation because the barnacle
feeds better in slower moving water and can stayed attached to their host more
easily. While barnacles may be considered parasitic in nature their relationship
to the whale is more an example of commensalism, meaning that neither the host
nor the parasite is harmed because of the relationship.
Biomes:
Whale- Oceanic Zone
barnacle- Barnacle attatch to many different types of animals- so there are many different types of biomes for it.
The photo above shows a whale with barnacle on its tail.
barnacles and barnacles that attach themselves to rocks or passing ships differ
slightly in their body's makeup. Barnacles are a very variable species, but the
parasitic variety usually infest sharks, sea turtles, and baleen whales. Faster moving whales are usually immune from barnacle infestation because the barnacle
feeds better in slower moving water and can stayed attached to their host more
easily. While barnacles may be considered parasitic in nature their relationship
to the whale is more an example of commensalism, meaning that neither the host
nor the parasite is harmed because of the relationship.
Biomes:
Whale- Oceanic Zone
barnacle- Barnacle attatch to many different types of animals- so there are many different types of biomes for it.
The photo above shows a whale with barnacle on its tail.