Barnacles are among the numerous animals of the highest reaches of the rocky shore. Each animal lives in a tent-like shell that is permanently fixed to the rocks. When the tide is out the animal retreats and two plates move across the top of the shell, forming a tight lid. This prevents the animal from drying out. When the tide comes in the plates open and the barnacle waves its feathery legs into the water, brushing tiny pieces of food into its mouth.
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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Melanie Lovell-Smith
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