Another rare lobster makes a home at UNE Marine Science Center

BIDDEFORD — Another rare lobster is now calling the University of New England’s Marine Science Center home.

A half orange, half brown lobster was donated to the college last week by Eric Payne from Inland Seafood Corporation in South Portland.

The odds of finding a split-colored brown and orange lobster is a one-in-50 million, according to the university.

The lobster will share the spotlight with Banana, a one-in-30 million rare yellow lobster found in February.

“We are honored that local lobstermen entrust these rare animals to UNE’s Marine Science Center where we will use them in our teaching and outreach activities,” said Markus Frederich, professor of marine sciences. “Our research on lobsters and climate change, funded by the National Science Foundation, highlights the importance of these charismatic creatures.”

The University of New England is sharing an $860,000 grant from the National Science Foundation with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and Hood College in Maryland to study the impact that a warming Gulf of Maine is having on lobster larvae and their success in growing to adulthood.

The university is now trying to think of a name for the center's new resident. The name Banana Split has been suggested, as the lobster will be housed with Banana.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.