How Rare are Blue Lobsters?

Quck answer

Blue lobsters are rare, but not as rare as blue moons. While blue lobsters are a rare color variation of the typically brownish-red crustaceans, they are still found in the wild and can be caught by fishermen. On the other hand, blue moons, which refer to the second full moon in a calendar month, only occur once every 2.7 years on average. So, while seeing a blue lobster may be a unique experience, it is not quite as rare as seeing a blue moon.

Wild Animals

It is estimated that one in 2 million lobsters are blue. Gary Lewis/Getty Images/Buzz60

Discovering a blue lobster is quite uncommon. However, a lobsterman named Wayne Nickerson got lucky on the 8th of August when he found one in a trap he had laid in the waters off Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Although the blue color is a disadvantage for the lobster in the ocean since it doesn’t allow it to blend in with the surroundings, it is a benefit on land. Wayne Nickerson plans on donating the lobster to the New England Aquarium in Boston to save it from getting cooked and served on someone’s plate.

The Lobster Institute at the University of Maine explains that the blue hue results from a genetic defect that causes the lobster to produce excessive amounts of the protein responsible for the color. The chances of finding a blue lobster are around one in 2 million. However, this isn’t the rarest lobster color.

The Lobster Institute estimates that there is a one in 10 million chance of discovering a red lobster, one in 30 million chance of finding a yellow or calico lobster, and one in 100 million chance of encountering an albino or crystal lobster. Nickerson found another blue lobster in 1990, making blue lobsters seem quite common in comparison.

Some experts dispute the one-in-2-million odds for blue lobsters. A researcher at England’s National Hatchery believes that the odds could be as low as one in a few hundred thousand. However, a zoology expert at Oxford University supports the one-in-2-million odds. Even Rob Bayer, executive director at the Lobster Institute, admitted that the odds are just a guess.

Now That’s Cool

In May 2016, two fishermen from Nova Scotia, Canada, caught two blue lobsters three days and 92 miles (150 kilometers) apart.

FAQ

1. What is a blue lobster?

A blue lobster is a rare genetic mutation of the common American lobster. Instead of their usual brownish-green color, blue lobsters have a bright blue shell.

2. How rare are blue lobsters?

Blue lobsters are considered extremely rare, with only one in every two million lobsters being blue.

3. Are blue lobsters more valuable than regular lobsters?

There is no significant difference in taste or texture between blue lobsters and regular lobsters, so their value is based solely on their rarity. However, some people are willing to pay a premium for the chance to eat or own a blue lobster.

4. What causes a lobster to be blue?

Blue lobsters have a genetic mutation that causes them to produce an excess amount of a particular protein. This protein combines with a red pigment, resulting in the lobster’s blue color.

5. Can blue lobsters survive in the wild?

Yes, blue lobsters can survive in the wild just as well as regular lobsters. However, their bright blue color makes them more vulnerable to predators.

6. How long do blue lobsters live?

Blue lobsters have a similar lifespan to regular lobsters, which can live up to 100 years in the wild.

7. How big do blue lobsters get?

Blue lobsters can grow up to 25 inches in length and weigh up to 44 pounds, just like regular lobsters.

8. How do blue lobsters reproduce?

Blue lobsters reproduce in the same way as regular lobsters, with the females carrying the eggs on their abdomens until they hatch.

9. Can blue lobsters mate with regular lobsters?

Yes, blue lobsters can mate with regular lobsters, and their offspring may or may not be blue, depending on the genetic makeup of the parents.

10. Are blue lobsters harmful to humans?

No, blue lobsters are not harmful to humans and are safe to eat if cooked properly.

11. How can I tell if a lobster is blue?

A blue lobster has a bright blue shell that is unmistakable. However, some blue lobsters may have patches of brown or orange on their shells, so it’s essential to examine them closely.