Colorful Lobsters

When we think of lobsters, we always imagine them to be red. However, did you know that lobsters could be blue, yellow or even white? Admittedly they are rare though - Blue lobsters are one in two million, yellow - one in thirty million and white, even rarer - one in one hundred million. 

Every now and again one of these will show up and stun the lobster potters and the entire world with their dazzling colors. Two veteran fishermen recently found one off the coast of the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom. They had never seen one before and didn't realize how rare they were until they read up on it.  'Blue' as it has been imaginatively named, dodged being cooked because of its unusual color and the two fishermen are now busy looking for a permanent home for it - most likely an aquarium.

The different pigmentations in lobsters occur due to gene mutations (like someone changed the recipe of their cells). Normal lobster colors are a mix of primary colors red, blue and yellow. In blue lobsters, the combination of an excessive amount of protein combined with a red color molecule called astaxanathin (the same one that gives carrots their red color), results in changing its color.  White lobsters, also known as crystal lobsters have no color pigmentations at all.  Scientists do not know if the colored lobsters are just rare in nature or difficult to find because they attract predators, easily thanks to their bright colors.

While they may be more exotic looking than their 'red' counterparts - these lobsters are just like any other lobster once in the cooking pot - yummy!

Sources: Wikepedia.org, NYTime.com, Dailymail.co.uk