In the pink: Rare albino lobster saved from pot
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.But when Lloyd Turner, a fisherman, discovered a rare white lobster among his catch 12 miles north-west of Alderney in the English Channel he realised he had a monster.
While it might have been smaller than the most famous Albino sea creature of all time - Moby Dick - the skipper of the fishing vessel Helen Claire knew it was worth preserving. Although the odds on winning the lottery jackpot are about 1 in 14 million, the chances of a lobster turning out to be an Albino are thought to be one in 100 million. They are the rarest and are the only ones that don't turn pink when cooked.
Mr Lloyd realised the find was significant and gave it to the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow, Cornwall. "The white lobster is not a true Albino as it doesn't have pink or red eyes," said Dylan Taylor, the centre's manager. "A white lobster would be very visible to predators ... Considering we think she is aged between eight and 12 years old it is a surprise she is still alive."
Now safe, the latest addition to the Hatchery has produced a batch of eggs. They hatched, but "the larvae appear to be of a normal colour", said Mr Taylor. "Lobsters can live for more than 100 years so she is young enough to produce another batch of eggs that may include pale or white young lobsters."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments