A rare lobster is drawing attention at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant. This striking orange and black lobster, known as a calico, is exceptionally uncommon—with odds of finding one estimated at just one in 30 million, according to Sierra Munoz, the center’s outreach program coordinator.
That makes the female lobster—even rarer than Neptune, the recently acquired blue lobster whose distinctive color appears in about one in 2 million cases—especially unique. Munoz’s children named her Jackie, short for Jack O’Lantern.
A Rare and Colorful Catch
Like Neptune, Jackie was caught off the Massachusetts coast, this time by lobsterman Mike Tufts, who works out of Gloucester.
“One day he sent me a message with a photo of this stunning calico lobster and asked if we had space in our tanks for another rare and beautiful specimen,” Munoz recalls.
“I told him, ‘Absolutely,'” she adds. “It’s such a generous and fun addition to our science education program.”
Jackie’s striking and uncommon coloration comes from a blend of chemical compounds, including astaxanthin—the pigment responsible for turning lobsters red and shrimp pink.
“Most lobsters we encounter tend to be reddish, brownish, or have a hint of green,” explains Munoz.
“In calico lobsters, astaxanthin interacts with other pigments and proteins in a particularly unusual way, creating her distinctive speckled or mottled appearance,” she says.
Jackie’s Unique Colors and Growing Fame
Jackie features a vibrant orange shell accented with streaks of black and hints of yellow. She also has blue at her joints, due to the presence of the protein crustacyanin—the same pigment in abundance that gives Neptune his deep blue shell.
It’s still uncertain whether the lively, claw-flashing, antenna-twitching Jackie will gain as much popularity as Neptune.
“Throughout the year, we welcome around 5,000 visitors through our community events, classroom programs, and field trips,” says Munoz.
Neptune’s School Visits Inspire Curiosity
Neptune has his own custom travel case and has been accompanying Munoz on visits to local elementary schools.
“The students have been absolutely loving it,” she says. “Kids are fascinated by rare animals—they enjoy learning what makes them unique and discovering the incredible variety of ocean life.”
“It really sparks great questions and interesting conversations,” Munoz adds.
One common question from students is whether Jackie would have babies that look like her.
The answer? Scientists aren’t entirely sure, since calico lobsters are so rare. However, Munoz explains that coloration does have a genetic basis, so it’s possible.
She also notes that more calicos may be born than we realize—but their bright coloring could make them more visible to predators, reducing their chances of survival.
Since lobsters can be territorial, Jackie and Neptune will live in separate tanks, which they’ll share with other marine animals like winter flounder and moon snails.
Marine Ambassadors with Remarkable Longevity
Serving as ambassadors for marine life, Jackie and Neptune aren’t just crowd favorites—they might also be exceptionally long-lived. If they stay healthy and avoid disease, lobsters can live up to 100 years, says Munoz.
“Our aquariums help make the marine world feel real and accessible for students, while also linking them to the kinds of questions Northeastern scientists are exploring through their research,” she adds.
Read the original article on: Phys.Org
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