Robert Wagner, a lobster fisherman with four decades of experience, recently encountered a unique half-blue, half-orange lobster while pulling in traps near Blue Rocks in Nova Scotia. The lobster, dubbed Oscar by Wagner and his family, was a rare find due to its distinct coloration.
After considering the significance of this discovery, Wagner’s daughter proposed contacting Dalhousie University to offer Oscar a new home. Nadia Stewart from Dalhousie’s Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity expressed gratitude for the opportunity to care for Oscar, emphasizing the importance of protecting such unique creatures from predators in the wild.
Stewart explained that lobsters like Oscar, with a split color mutation, are extremely rare, occurring in approximately one out of every 50 million lobsters. She compared this rarity to albino lobsters, which are found in only about one out of every 100 million lobsters.
Following a month of care by Wagner and his family, Oscar was transported to Dalhousie University in Halifax with the necessary permits. Stewart noted that Oscar has adjusted well to his new environment, even shedding his shell recently, which surprised the staff. The old blue-orange shell was put on display, and Oscar was given time to recover before being showcased again once his new shell hardens.
Due to Oscar’s genetic coloration, his new shell is expected to exhibit the same striking blue and orange hues. Wagner expressed satisfaction with the decision to donate Oscar, stating that they are grateful he is in good hands and hoping for his well-being.
The story of Oscar the two-colored lobster continues to captivate audiences, shedding light on the marvels of marine biodiversity and the importance of conserving such extraordinary creatures.
