This Split-Colored Lobster Found Off Cape Cod Is So Rare It Was Saved Instead of Sold
A fishing vessel operating off Cape Cod pulled in an extraordinary catch on April 16 — a lobster whose shell is divided almost perfectly down the middle, with one side appearing red-orange and the other dark brown.
The lobster was caught aboard the Timothy Michael fishing vessel, according to Wellfleet Shellfish Company. The company said this type of split coloration is considered extremely rare, with an estimated 1 in 50 million chance of occurring.
That rarity spared the lobster from ever reaching a dinner plate. Rather than sending it to market, Wellfleet Shellfish Company donated the lobster to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where it is expected to eventually go on public display.
The company shared the news in a social media post, writing, “Moments like this are why we do what we do: supporting our fishing community, protecting the ocean, and sharing its wonders with everyone.”
The company also stated, “Instead of heading to market, she’s heading somewhere even more special.”
How the Donation Came Together
The decision to donate rather than sell came down to the rarity of the catch, according to Wellfleet Shellfish Company Chief Operating Officer Dan Brandt.
“When something that rare comes across our docks, we see it as part of our role to share it with the broader community—Woods Hole Science Aquarium was the perfect fit for this lucky lobster,” Brandt told Popular Science.
On the aquarium’s end, biologist Julia Studley told Popular Science that her team acted quickly once they were offered the chance to house the lobster. The staff immediately began thinking about tank placement and made arrangements to drive to the shellfish company’s location in Eastham to pick up the animal.
“As soon as we saw this beautiful and unique lobster and were offered the chance to be her potential home, we immediately started thinking about which tank to put her in and began preparations to pick her up from Wellfleet Shellfish Company in Eastham, about an hour’s drive from Woods Hole,” Studley said.
Where the Lobster Is Living Now
The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is operated by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The facility is currently closed for repairs and renovations, with plans to reopen in 2027. Once the aquarium reopens, the lobster is expected to be put on public display.
With the aquarium under construction, the lobster needed a temporary place to stay. It is being cared for in holding tanks at the Marine Biological Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Woods Hole. The lab is also housing other animals from the aquarium while renovation work continues on the main facility.
The Science Behind the Split Shell
Scientists say the split coloring is likely caused by a genetic mutation or pigment irregularities. Studley explained the biological process responsible for the lobster’s two-toned appearance.
“Split-colorization occurs when two fertilized, unlaid eggs contact each other, causing one to absorb the other. This creates a lobster with two sets of genetic information, and the ability to store color pigments differently on either side of its shell,” Studley said.
The process essentially gives the lobster two distinct genetic profiles — one for each half of its body — which is why the coloring on each side of its shell looks so different.
A Survivor That Beat the Odds
The lobster’s size has also drawn attention. Lobsters with unusual coloring typically lack the camouflage they need to survive for long, according to Brandt. That makes this lobster’s growth to over three pounds all the more notable.
“Lobsters with unusual coloring often don’t have the camouflage to thrive for long, so the fact that this one reached over three pounds means it’s been through a lot,” Brandt said.
A Name and a Long Future Ahead
The aquarium plans to care for the lobster long-term and eventually give it a name. Studley said the team intends to learn more about its personality before choosing one. She noted that lobsters can live up to 100 years, meaning this particular lobster could be a resident of the aquarium for a very long time.
“We hope visitors take away just how unique this animal is, and how amazing it is to see genetics at work in a very iconic local species,” Studley said.
She added, “This animal is not only fascinating to look at but also serves as a great reminder of how intricate genetic mechanisms are and how much we should thank them for the diversity we see in the world around us!”
When the Woods Hole Science Aquarium reopens in 2027, the split-colored lobster is expected to be among the animals on display for visitors — a 1-in-50-million catch that went from a Cape Cod fishing boat to a permanent home at a Massachusetts aquarium.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
