Rare 'Split-Colored' Lobster Caught off Cape Cod and It's Stunning

The sea is full of wonders and wondrous creatures.

From a giant Blue Whale down to a tiny jellyfish.

And this week, a truly rare sea creature was found off the coast of Cape Cod: the rare split-colored lobster.

Though a lobster may seem fairly run of the mill, this one really breaks the mold.

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A rare, split-colored lobster was recently caught off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

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What Makes Split-Colored Lobsters So Rare

As the newscaster said, the chances of finding a split-colored lobster in the wild are 1 in 50 million!

So, how does this amazing and rare color combination occur? A genetic mutation occurs, giving the crustacean two distinct sets of genes.

Aquarium biologist Julia Studley told Popular Science, "Split colorization occurs when two fertilized, unlaid eggs contact each other, causing one to absorb the other. This creates a lobster with two sets of genetic information and the ability to store color pigments differently on either side of its shell."

When it occurred with this rare creature, it resulted in a perfect split down the middle, orange-red and dark brown shell.

Even more interesting is that sometimes this condition can cause gynandromorphism, which is when an organism is half male and half female.

This mutation has been seen in a bird in Columbia, as well as in some bees, butterflies, and spiders.

Related: Rare Orange Lobster Mama in Maine Is Hatching Rare Orange Babies

Why This Cape Cod Catch Is So Unusual

An official statement about this rare marine discovery from the Wellfleet Shellfish Company on this event was issued: "Split lobsters like this are extraordinarily rare-caused by unique genetic variations that create their striking half-and-half coloring. Moments like this are why we do what we do: supporting our fishing community, protecting the ocean, and sharing its wonders with everyone."

The lobster, who weighs between 3 and 5 pounds, will be donated to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium to be cared for and will eventually be on exhibit for all the public to see.

It was caught off Cape Cod on the Timothy Michael fishing vessel on April 16, 2026.

This was a truly wonderful and rare marine discovery!

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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 7:55 AM.