What is that?! Gray whales are covered in barnacles and lice! These traveling companions ride along with the whales for a free meal. They do not harm the whale. Barnacles attach to gray whales during their stay in the warm Lagoons of Baja. As the whale travels through the ocean, the barnacles extend their filtering baskets and sea water passes through trapping microorganisms for them to eat. Sometimes gray whales scrape off the barnacles by rubbing on underwater rocks. This leaves a white scar which gives these whales a mottled gray color. Now you know! Image of whale lice taken by deckhand, Kristin.

What is that?! Gray whales are covered in barnacles and lice! These traveling companions ride along with the whales for a free meal. They do not harm the whale. Barnacles attach to gray whales during their stay in the warm Lagoons of Baja. As the whale travels through the ocean, the barnacles extend their filtering baskets and sea water passes through trapping microorganisms for them to eat. Sometimes gray whales scrape off the barnacles by rubbing on underwater rocks. This leaves a white scar which gives these whales a mottled gray color. Now you know! Image of whale lice taken by deckhand, Kristin.