2 Rare Orange Lobsters Get A New Home At Clearwater Marine Aquarium

CLEARWATER, FL — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is welcoming two new clawed residents – two rare orange lobsters.

Whitney’s Fresh Market in Hudson found them in a recent shipment of Maine lobsters and decided to hand them over to the aquarium.

“The chances of finding an orange lobster is said to be one in 30 million, so finding the pair was particularly unusual,” the aquarium posted on its Facebook page.

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Because of their bright orange color, the lobsters lack camouflage in the wild.

“Lobsters are typically a muddy color to blend into their environment and avoid predators,” CMA told Patch. “Unfortunately, with their rare color these two do not have that ability.”

Though the aquarium hasn’t named the lobsters yet, the market has been calling them Sonny and Cher, according to the shop’s Facebook page.

Once the lobsters have gotten used to their new digs, they’ll be viewable to aquarium guests.

CMA said the lobsters will offer an “opportunity to discuss the importance of ropeless fishing and our conservation work with North Atlantic right whales who are oftentimes found entangled in fishing gear.”

According to the aquarium’s website, it’s estimated that there are less than 350 of these whales left, making them “one of the most endangered marine mammals.”

The CMA Research Institute have collected more than 20 years of aerial survey data on the species during its calving time in the southeast. This data has been used to expanded habitat protection and ship speed reduction, lowering their mortality rate in the Southeast.