In his four-decade career as a lobster fisherman, Robert Wagner encountered a unique creature: a lobster split in half, displaying contrasting blue and orange hues from head to tail. This extraordinary find, dubbed Oscar, was discovered in a trap near Blue Rocks on Nova Scotia’s South Shore.
Impressed by Oscar’s rare appearance, Wagner decided to share his discovery with others. With the help of his daughter, he reached out to Dalhousie University to offer Oscar a new home. Nadia Stewart from the university’s Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity expressed gratitude for the opportunity as lobsters with distinct colors often face threats in the wild due to their visibility.
Stewart explained that Oscar’s two-tone coloring is a result of a genetic mutation, occurring in approximately one out of every 50 million lobsters. This unique phenomenon arises from the absorption of genetic material when fertilized unlaid eggs come into contact.
After caring for Oscar for a month, Wagner arranged for him to be transported to Halifax with the necessary permits. Since his relocation, Oscar has adapted well to his new environment. A recent surprise came when he shed his shell, prompting staff to put his old blue-and-orange shell on display while he regenerates a new one.
Once Oscar’s new shell hardens, which typically takes 14 to 30 days, he will return to public view. Maintaining his distinctive coloring, his genetic makeup ensures that his new shell will also be a blend of blue and orange.
Wagner expressed satisfaction with the decision to donate Oscar, stating, “We’re just grateful that it got in the right hands and hope [Oscar] has a good life.”
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