In his four-decade career as a lobster fisherman, Robert Wagner encountered a unique discovery – a lobster with distinct half-blue and half-orange coloring. This rare crustacean, named Oscar by Wagner, was found in a trap near Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia. Intrigued by Oscar’s unusual appearance, Wagner reached out to Dalhousie University to offer the lobster a new home.
Nadia Stewart, from Dalhousie’s Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity, highlighted the significance of rescuing such rare lobsters from predators due to their striking colors. Oscar’s color mutation, occurring in about one out of every 50 million lobsters, results from a genetic anomaly during egg fertilization.
After caring for Oscar for a month, Wagner arranged for the lobster to be transported to Dalhousie University in Halifax. Oscar’s adjustment to his new environment was evident when he shed his shell recently, surprising the staff. The center plans to display Oscar’s old shell and give him time to recover before showcasing him again with his new blue and orange shell.
Expressing gratitude for Oscar’s new opportunity, Wagner emphasized the importance of ensuring the lobster’s well-being. The community eagerly awaits Oscar’s continued growth and presence at the university’s facility.