Half-Life Barnacle

[Side view]

Although little is known of "Xen", its world of origin, the barnacle is now found everywhere on earth in temperate and equatorial zones, commonly under bridges and overpasses. The bogey-man of fable, the bridge-dwelling troll, is now all too real.

This immobile, eyeless predator extends its long, prehensile tentacle and patiently waits for prey to wander near. A single touch is enough to trigger the grabbing reflex: the unlucky prey is instantly snatched up and slowly drawn into the waiting jaws. Once ensnared, few victims ever escape its incredibly powerful tentacle and crushing fangs. Mature specimens can even consume adult humans!

The tentacle contains nematocysts, or stingers, which inject a neurotoxin similar to that of some earthly jellyfish, which paralyze the hapless victim and begins the digestive process. It remains a constant source of danger both to speelunkers and to the homeless.

Although not suitable for homes with small pets, immature barnacles are superb at eliminating pests! Wealthy collectors have been known to keep de-tentacled specimens in their homes as conversation pieces; however, the tentacle must be docked periodically or it will grow back. *


*See "Darwin Award" winners, exotic pets division.


Construction of "Leslie":

paper mache, cardboard, plastic, cloth, Sculpey, wire, glue, paint, snips, snails and puppy-dog tails