Barnacles are marine crustaceans that attach themselves permanently to various surfaces, such as rocks, ship hulls, and even the bodies of other sea creatures. They are known for their hard calcareous plates that protect their soft bodies. Barnacles feed by extending feathery appendages called cirri to filter plankton and other food particles from the water. There are over 1,000 species of barnacles, and they are found in oceans all over the world. Some barnacles are free-living, while others are parasitic.