Questions swirl around extremely rare double-albino-lobster catch


What are the odds of catching an albino lobster? About one in 100 million, according to The Portland Press Herald.
That has some lobster experts (yes, those exist) questioning the veracity of two Maine lobstermen's hauls this week. Just a few days and a couple hundred feet apart, two lobstermen brought in what appear to be a pair of albino lobsters. Both were under the legal size to keep, which usually means the lobsters must be thrown back. In this case, though, Maine's Marine Patrol made an exception for the rare crustaceans. One is headed for Brooks Trap Mill, a lobstering supply store with an enormous marine life tank. The other will appear at the Maine State Aquarium.
But wait: A twist!
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I don't think they're albinos. It looks like there's some pigmentation there," Bob Bayer, executive director of the University of Maine's Lobster Institute, said. Still, "it's nothing I've seen before."
Apparently the quickest test to determine whether the lobsters are truly albinos is to cook them — if they remain clear of pigmentation, they're legit — but officials said neither is destined for a boiling pot of water. Decide for yourself whether you can spot any pigmentation in the photo, below. --Sarah Eberspacher
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
China looms large over India and Pakistan's latest violence
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Beijing may not have had troops on the ground, but as South Asia's two nuclear powers bared their teeth over Kashmir, China eyed an opportunity
-
Where the new Pope Leo XIV stands on various issues
The Explainer The first American pontiff is expected to continue some of his predecessor's work
-
What's wrong with America's air traffic control systems?
Today's Big Question The radios and radar keep going out at Newark International
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read