[[Image:HalfLife2 Barnacle.jpg|thumb|175px|A barnacle, as seen in ''[[Half-Life 2]]''.]]
A '''barnacle''' is a fictional [[extraterrestrial life in popular culture|alien]] species found in the ''[[Half-Life]]'' and ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' [[computer game]] series created by [[Valve Software]].
Barnacles are relatively simple creatures, consisting primarily of a mouth full of sharp [[Tooth|teeth]], and a long, retractable [[tongue]]. They attach themselves to ceilings or the undersides of overhangs, from which they lower their sticky tongues to near floor level. Although barnacles can be found in a wide array of environments, they seem to prefer damp areas. When an object, living or otherwise, comes into contact with the tongue, the tongue "grabs" the object (the exact mechanism behind the tongue's stickiness is unknown). The barnacle then retracts its tongue, drawing the object inexorably towards its maw. Upon reaching the mouth, the object is quickly evaluated by the barnacle: objects considered edible by the barnacle are crushed and consumed, and unpalatable objects are released.
Barnacles are relatively weak, a few shots from a [[9mm]] pistol will kill them. They are best dispatched from a distance, although humans unlucky enough to become ensnared have a few seconds in which to desperately attack the barnacle. When killed, barnacles typically disgorge bones and other remains of recently-consumed victims.
In the [[expansion pack]] ''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force|Opposing Force]]'', [[Black Mesa Research Facility|Black Mesa]] scientists have been able to successfully detach barnacles, albeit with a high failure rate. The player can use a detached barnacle as either a weapon or as a "grappling hook". Both functions take advantage of the affinity of their tongues for organic matter.
In ''[[Half-Life 2]]'', the tongue doesn't "stick" to the victim but instead twirls around and grabs it. Furthermore, a barnacle cannot differentiate between edible and inedible material, and will attempt to eat anything that comes into contact with its tongue. Consequently, objects such as tires, barrels or pieces of wood can be used to "distract" a barnacle and allow a player to easily slip past it. In a similar fashion, by setting alight an explosive barrel at the right moment, a player can kill a barnacle attempting to eat it (or even several closely-placed barnacles).
[[Category:First-person shooter creatures]]
[[Category:Half-Life characters]]
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