A photo from open sources
From the depths of the sea came something massive, completely covered dark processes, the ends of which were crowned with light shells … Who could it be? Another underwater monster not known science? ..
The strange creature really resembled a character of a fantastic of the film, his numerous “tentacles” were so amazing, as if decorated with shells. This two-meter creature lay on the beach and, it seemed to be looking out from under her shaggy hair to vacationers, which, albeit cautiously, were gradually approaching the monster, there was so much human curiosity …
A photo from open sources
The monster really turned out to be alive, or rather, it was alive only its visible shell. For a mysterious beast, eyewitnesses took a large log that was densely populated by a colony of sea ducks. Such a name these barnacles are crustaceans (by the way, relatives sea acorns) received due to the shape of shells resembling duck beaks.
This unexpected meeting took place on Murivay Beach (New Zealand), which is known for black sand, as well as colonies booby. And it ended with practical vacationers quickly collected ducks, because they are an expensive marine delicacy (more expensive than oysters), known as persebes.
A bit about sea ducks
The unusual shape of these crustaceans is due to the fact that they are attached to any object using the appendix. And the body the animal itself is located in the shell at the end of this stalk. Sea ducks are attached to rocks, logs, as a transport can use sharks, large crabs, fish, turtles. May take a fancy to the underwater part of the ship’s hull, which is not especially good, because its seaworthiness is deteriorating.
Interesting fact: in 1917. waves nailed to american the coast of a Japanese ship that suffered several years ago wreck, and then was “captured” by a colony of ducks. For the local residents (as well as birds) it became a real gift.
A photo from open sources
Sea ducks live in tropical, subtropical and temperate belts of the Atlantic Ocean. If in the “settlement” they have room, the foot-stem of ducks is short (5-6 centimeters) and quite thick. When the colony becomes crowded, the “tentacles” of the crustaceans begin to grow, becoming thin and long (20-70 centimeters).
Sea ducks feed on plankton: stick their own out of the shell antennae paws and, filtering them with water, get food.
A little about the delicacy of these crustaceans
Today persebes is not particularly famous in the world, but very popular with Spaniards and Portuguese. However, this delicacy gradually conquers the hearts of gourmets, and this leads to the fact that natural duckling colonies are greatly reduced. They tried grow in other places (for example, in the Black Sea waters), however this venture failed.
There are several places on our planet where sea ducks create their colonies, including off the coast of Canada, Spain and Morocco. And the Spanish are the most “stunted”, which is very valuable. Chefs say little sea ducks are like little ducks mushrooms, and large ones – on overgrown mushrooms.
A photo from open sources
These animals prefer running clean water – near their colonies you will never see algae. What’s more interesting: when the sea duck dies, then disconnects from the substrate to which it was attached, after which it carries it over to the sea. it also speaks in favor of ecological purity.
A photo from open sources
The extraction of ducks is a rather complicated process, since these animals attach to underwater objects, in particular to the rocks. Thus, they can be seen only at low tide. Often, fishermen, not waiting for him, rush to collect valuable crustaceans under water. Such fishing is quite dangerous in Spain alone. annually ends with the death of several people. In addition, mining sea ducks is impossible when the sea is storming. Therefore the price kilograms of these animals (taking into account their size), which are called even with sea truffles, it can reach up to 300 dollars.
Water Monsters
