Tuesday 26 June 2012

The Unusual & Different Colors of Lobsters


Blue Lobster
image credit: n-sb.org
image credit: sneakermestupid.com

One in 2-5 million lobsters are blue. A genetic defect causes a blue lobster to produce an excessive amount of protein. The protein and a red carotenoid molecule known as astaxanthin, combine to form a blue complex known as crustacyanin, giving the lobster its blue color.

Half and Half or "Two Tone" Lobster
image credit: bukisa.com
image credit: moblog.whmsoft.net

One in 50 million lobsters are half and half colored!

Albino Lobster
image credit: niketalk.yuku.com

Only about one in 100 million lobsters are albino - lacking in colored pigments. These are also referred to as "white" or "crystal" lobsters due to their metallic appearance.

Yellow Lobster
image credit: seacoastonline.com
image credit: news.gather.com

One in 30 million are yellow - caused by a rare genetic mutation.
Calico Lobster
image credit: akfiles.com

Again, the odds of finding one of these mottled yellow and black lobsters are one in 30 million.
"Phantom of the Opera" Lobster
image credit: captjoe06, via Flickr

This is actually an example of another half and half lobster, however the albino part of the lobster formed so that it resembles the Phantom of the Opera with the white mask on one side of his face!


Pretty amazing stuff. My favorite is by far the phantom of the opera lobster, what's yours??


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