Lepas anserifera Goose Barnacle

    Goose Barnacles, so called because they are anchored by a thick flexible stalk which gives them a overall resemblance to a goose's head and neck, are periodically found washed onto the beaches of northeast Florida following northeasters and hurricanes. The species attaches to and grows on just about anything that floats in the sea including all manor of flotsam to include "Sea Beans", bottles, timbers, trees, etc. The illustrated colony was attached to a piece of synthetic foam.

Lepas anserifera Goose Barnacle
Mayport Naval Station Beach, Duval County, Florida 9/22/2004 (each specimen about 15 mm.)