Rare Orange Lobster Mama Welcomes 100 Tiny, Colorful Newborns
At the University of New England (UNE) in Maine, there’s excitement brewing with the arrival of baby lobsters! Among them is Peaches, not your average crustacean but rather a rare orange-hued lobster who has captured the hearts of many.
Peaches stands out with her vibrant orange shell, making her one-in-30-million. She was brought to UNE last year, and now she has hatched 100 baby lobsters, with some sharing her unusual coloring!
The excitement at UNE is palpable as both students and faculty dig deep to study Peaches and her tiny offspring. Researchers are curious about what causes this rare coloration: is it genetics, diet, or some cosmic lottery?
But Peaches isn't the only lobster mama at the university. Norma, who sports the typical lobster color, also welcomed 40 hatchlings recently, and Pineapple, another orange lobster, is expected to join the family with her own batch of babies come spring.
The Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center at UNE is now home to 140 adorable baby lobsters, all each no bigger than your thumb. These lively little creatures are already busy molting and growing, much to the delight of researchers monitoring their progress.
One of these researchers, Ruby Motulsky, is passionate about answering the big question of how many of Peaches’ babies will also keep the orange hue. Backed by a $5,000 grant, she is on the trail, collaborating with Professor Markus Frederich to investigate the genetic secrets behind these uniquely colored lobsters.
UNE has built quite the reputation as a lobster sanctuary. Housing everything from blue to purple and even split-colored lobsters, the university proudly displays one of the rarest collections of lobsters known to man.
The question remains: What will the future hold for these spirited orange lobsters? Time will tell, yet one thing is clear—UNE is the hotspot for lobsters embracing the unusual!
Meanwhile, over at the Whitby Lobster Hatchery, something extraordinary has also emerged. Fishermen excitedly shared the discovery of a rare calico lobster—estimated to be around six years old!
This unique lobster flaunts patches of vivid orange and black all over its shell, making it both beautiful and bizarre. With odds pegged at one in 30 million for finding such colorations, this lobster has drawn significant attention from the public.
Housed within the tanks of Whitby Hatchery, this rare find is currently open for public viewing. Staff and volunteers at the Whitby Marine Discovery Centre eagerly await questions from curious visitors who want to learn about these fascinating genetic variations.
According to Jon Fry, the marine educator at the hatchery, the discovery opens up discussions about how genetic mutations can impact the visual characteristics of lobsters. The usual dark blue marine lobsters are adapted to blend seamlessly with the ocean floor, making this vibrant creature stand out even more.
Original source of wonder has now become inspiration for local education. Fry stated, “Neither of us have ever seen anything like this,” referring to himself and his fellow fisherman who shared the find.
The structural differences caused by genetic mutations can often create beauty within the seafood we consume. Even casual observers can partake in the knowledge of genetic diversity among marine life during their visits to the hatchery.
Both UNE and the Whitby Lobster Hatchery show how rare discoveries add excitement not just for marine biologists but also for general audiences. With information being readily shared and curiosity being piqued, these lobsters represent the marvel of nature's creativity.
The fascination surrounding rare lobsters extends beyond the scientific community, engaging lobster lovers and curious minds alike. The tale of Peaches and other uniquely colored lobsters serves as both entertainment and insight.
Wonder where lobsters can surprise us next? Perhaps it's just the start of more vibrant arrivals at our local hatcheries.
