This Cape Cod Lobster’s 1-in-50-Million Shell Saved It From Becoming Someone’s Dinner
The odds of catching a split-colored lobster are roughly 1 in 50 million. On April 16, a fishing vessel off Cape Cod beat those odds — and the lobster that came up in the haul just got a permanent home instead of a plate.
The lobster was caught by the Timothy Michael fishing vessel and brought to Wellfleet Shellfish Company in Eastham, Massachusetts. Its shell is divided almost perfectly down the middle, with one side red-orange and the other dark brown. That half-and-half split is what makes it so extraordinarily rare, according to the company.
Rather than shipping it off to a seafood counter, Wellfleet Shellfish Company donated the lobster to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The aquarium is operated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and is currently closed for repairs and renovations, with plans to reopen in 2027. The lobster is expected to go on public display once the facility reopens.
For now, it’s being cared for in holding tanks at the Marine Biological Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Woods Hole, alongside other animals from the aquarium during construction.
How the Split Shell Actually Happens
The two-tone look isn’t just a random cosmetic fluke. Scientists say the split coloring is likely caused by a genetic mutation or pigment irregularities, and aquarium biologist Julia Studley broke down the specific mechanism for Popular Science.
“Split-colorization occurs when two fertilized, unlaid eggs contact each other, causing one to absorb the other,” Studley explained. “This creates a lobster with two sets of genetic information, and the ability to store color pigments differently on either side of its shell.”
Two sets of genetic information in one body — which is why the coloring splits so cleanly down the center of the shell.
The lobster weighs over three pounds, and that fact matters more than it might sound.
Wellfleet Shellfish Company Chief Operating Officer Dan Brandt told Popular Science, “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.”
‘She’s Heading Somewhere Even More Special’
Wellfleet Shellfish Company announced the catch and donation 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.”
Brandt explained the thinking behind the donation. “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,” he told Popular Science.
The Aquarium Team Moved Fast
Studley described what happened the moment the aquarium got the call.
“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,” she told Popular Science.
The aquarium plans to care for the lobster long-term and eventually name it. Studley said the team intends to learn more about its personality before choosing a name — and noted that lobsters can live up to 100 years. No rush on that decision.
Studley laid out what the team hopes the lobster will represent once the facility reopens.
“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,” she 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!”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
