Barnacles attach to the surface of the turtles's shell because they have a hard surface to bind and reproduce, one barnacle does not harm the turtle, however, excessive barnacles make it inactive, affect vision make it difficult eat, sometime make the turtle's shell infected 

 

Find Out About Barnacles And Why They stick to turtle shells

Barnacles are small, attached animals in the Crustacea family that are related to crabs and shrimps.

They look whitish gray and live on hard surfaces such as rocks, ship hulls, and in piles, barnacles are very sensitive to very cold or hot water.

Barnacles eat by filtering food. what it eats is plankton and crumbs that float in the water.

Barnacles use their legs to filter food from the water, they thrive in both the sea and running water.

As barnacle larvae they attach themselves to solids, they secrete an adhesive substance that allows them to stick to any hard surface around them.

Occasionally barnacles attach themselves to solids, leaving a stationary phase for the rest of their lives.

Barnacles attach themselves to hard surfaces since they are in the larval stage of their life.

Therefor if turtles are near barnacles, they stick to turtles, let's understand that barnacles are very dangerous for turtles.

Are Barnacles Harmful to Turtles

Most barnacles are not harmful to turtles and do not hurt turtles, however, if there are barnacles infested with lice in the turtle's shell, it indicates an unhealthy condition.

An excess of barnacles on a turtle's shell indicates an unhealthy condition, a healthy turtle can control the growth of barnacles.

So if the turtle is overgrown with barnacles, it will be very dangerous.

Excess barnacles indicate a slow turtle and a less active turtle.

Excess barnacles on turtles prevent turtles from moving quickly, excess barnacles also cause turtles to be less comfortable.

Making the turtle slower than usual, this makes it difficult for the turtle to find food.

The turtle will be unable to catch its prey due to its lethargy, the turtle will fall ill due to lack of food intake and starvation.

Another effect of barnacles on the turtle's swimming ability is that the increased weight of barnacles attached to the shell prevents the turtle from swimming.

Turtles will drag themselves thus making them swim heavier, this will consume a lot of energy while swimming which will be very tiring for the turtles.

Also, if barnacles stick to the eyes, it will block their version

Barnacles sticking to the turtle's mouth also harm the turtle as well. The turtle will not be able to properly the terrible impact of barnacles will perforate the turtle's shell.

This severe infection will prove dangerous for the turtle.

Barnacles attach very easily to turtles, most of them attach to turtle shells that thrive in salt water.

So is there any way for turtles to get rid of the barnacles that stick to their shells? because of the excess barnacles.

Is there care for turtles to get rid of barnacles on themselves?

Barnacles thrive in the sea and attach themselves to hard surfaces. Because sea turtle shell are hard, they can stick very easily. 

Apparently, sea turtles do not have a mechanism for removing barnacles.

However, they can remove barnacles with the help of their flippers.

Similarly, barnacles can detach themselves if the sea turtle scares its shell.

The attached barnacles detach from the shells of female turtles during sex with the opposite sex. 

This is because during sex, the female turtle rubs her body with the male turtle when the barnacles fall off by themselves.

With its limbs, the male turtle tries to get rid of the barnacles.

Barnacles may also fall by themselves or turtles may rub their shells on the coral surface.

Another thing, turtles can get rid of barnacles after taking appropriate care.

 

Can you remove barnacles from turtle shells?

Barnacles are strong creatures, and they are not easy to get rid of.

So it is best remove barnacles from turtle shells. 

It is best to consult with a wildlife care center where turtles receive special care.

Forced removal of attached barnacles can be very painful for the turtle. Sea turtle plastrons and shells are very soft.

In captivity, some very caring experts remove barnacles by a procedure from the turtle's shell.

The removal will put the turtle in fresh water.

This procedure ensures no further growth of barnacles and some algae will disappear within 2 to 3 days.

In the event that you are unable to harm the turtle, it is always better to consult wildlife care or by experts to remove the barnacles attached to the turtle's shell.