Sea turtles and barnacles have a symbiotic relationship. Based on the NC State University, symbiosis is an ecological relationship between two (or more) individuals of different species. This symbiotic relationship can benefit both species or it can only benefit one species at the other’s expense.

In the case of the sea turtle and barnacle, the barnacles are not harming the sea turtle.

However, an excessive number of barnacles on a turtle’s shell can be a sign of bad health. The barnacles attached to the sea turtle may also lead to infection, which makes it difficult for the turtle to eat. It can also cause the turtle to have poor vision.

One guy helped a sea turtle by removing the barnacles attached to its shell.

Barnacles are crustaceans that love to attach to hard surfaces. A sea turtle’s shell is one of the ideal and favorite surfaces that barnacles attach themselves to. Usually, barnacles attach themselves to the shell of the sea turtle. However, others penetrate the skin which causes problems for the sea turtle.

Excessive barnacles pose a serious health risk for a sea turtle.

It’s a good thing that someone came in to help the poor sea turtle. Using a small knife, he began removing the barnacles. One can clearly see the number of barnacles at the back of the sea turtle.

He must have a hard time carrying that kind of weight on his back.

Thankfully, he is about to get some relief. At first, the turtle was scared at the thought of having the barnacles removed. He tried to swim his way out of the table and boat, but the man held on, knowing he was there to help.

Carefully holding the sea turtle, he began to work.

He started from the top and carefully pried off each barnacle. The ones at the edges were easily removed. With one scrape of the knife, they started falling off.

Some areas were difficult to remove, so he had to carefully use his hands and the knife.

The turtle flapped its arms as each barnacle was removed. One can see the back of the sea turtle as the guy slowly removed each crustacean. It must have been a relief for the sea turtle.

Using his hands, he began to pry off the ones at the bottom of the turtle.

It was much easier since they fell off easily. Little by little, we began to see the back of the sea turtle. However, the front of the sea turtle also had tiny crustaceans.

Flipping the sea turtle on its back, the guy carefully removed them.

Poor sea turtle. He had a lot of barnacles attached to him which made it really difficult for him to move and eat. Thankfully, there was a guy willing to help him out of his ordeal.

Removing the last barnacles attached at the bottom, the sea turtle is now finally from the pesky barnacles.

You can clearly see the joy on his face as he flaps his arms.

He was later released back to his home, where he can finally live his days barnacle-free.

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Source: OliverRidleyProject, Jaljeev, MyModernMet