Extremely Rare Lobsters Saved From Cooking Pot By Eagle-Eyed Customer

A pair of extremely rare lobsters were saved from the cooking pot after being spotted by an eagle-eyed customer.

The 'one in 30 million' orange Canadian lobsters were discovered last Thursday (20 May) by Joseph Lee at a Makro store in Leicester, UK, of all places, where they were on sale for £25.50 ($36.18).

SWNS

They may not look that odd to you because lobsters look a similar colour once cooked, but in their natural uncooked form they're usually a darkish brown grey, to keep them camouflage. Bright orange isn't such a good look, evolutionarily speaking.

Anyway, caterer Joseph - who used to be a fishmonger - couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The 47-year-old said: "I saw these two orange lobsters from a distance and thought they were toys because that's the only time I've seen them orange apart from when they're cooked.

"I knew they wouldn't have put cooked lobsters in there because you need to keep lobsters in a special tank with flowing water below seven degrees.

"I thought someone was having a joke and had put a couple of orange toy lobsters in the tank.

"I got closer and noticed they were alive. I couldn't believe my eyes. I've been going to Makro for 10 years and used to be a fishmonger myself but I have never seen anything like that before."

He added: "Rob the fishmonger told me they were really, really rare lobsters and to get one in the tank was a one in 30 million chance so the chances of having two are one in a billion.

"It is like getting struck by lightning three times and surviving each time.

"To have not just one but two in the tank is unimaginable."

SWNS

I can't vouch for Joseph's maths or probability comparisons, but suffice to say, they're really bloody rare. For that reason, the dad-of-two decided he needed to make a plea for their lives to be spared.

He said: "I couldn't bare the thought that these extremely rare creatures would end up on someone's plate.

"I spoke to the manager of the catering division who said they would donate them to a Sea Life Centre.

"It's just incredible to see two of these amazingly coloured lobsters. I'm glad they've been saved so they can be enjoyed by people."

Topics: UK News, Interesting, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey