* Barnacles are parasites: While they don't actively harm the whales, barnacles are epizoites, meaning they live on the surface of another animal. They attach themselves to the whale's skin and use it as a place to live and feed.
* Barnacles can be a nuisance: Large numbers of barnacles can weigh down the whale, making it harder to swim and slowing it down. They can also cause irritation and even infections.
* Whales don't choose their barnacle companions: Barnacles don't actively seek out whales to befriend. They are drawn to smooth, wet surfaces like the whale's skin. They are simply taking advantage of the environment.
So, while whales and barnacles might seem like an unlikely pair, it's not a case of friendship. It's a relationship where one organism benefits (the barnacle) while the other might experience a slight disadvantage (the whale).