Freckles is an Extremely Rare Lobster From Maine Who Will Live in Peace

Editor's Note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England radio personality and may contain the individual's views, opinions or personal experiences.

When you Think Calico it’s Not Always Cats

Whenever I hear the term ‘Calico’ applied toward an animal I naturally think of cats.  But a very unusual lobster from our area turned up at a Red Lobster in Manassas, Va.

A calico lobster was discovered at the Red Lobster in Manassas and the quick-thinking staff knew they had something special on their hands and saved the crustacean from the cooking pot, according to a story in The Washington Post.

Freckles Will Leave out the Rest of His Days in Peace

The calico lobster has been nicknamed “Freckles” and will be spending his retirement at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News.

Chris Crippen, the museum’s senior director, told the Washington Post, “We see this as an opportunity to share nature’s anomaly with guests, as well as continue important education about sustainable seafood practices and significant conservation efforts of the American lobster fishery.”

So Many Maine Lobsters!

There are so many lobsters that come from Maine, so it is estimated that Freckles is a 1-in-30 million find.

Robert Steneck, a professor at the University of Maine's school of marine sciences, said in an email to The Post that in a typical year, there are more than 3.5 million lobster traps placed in the water off the coast of Maine.

I have written about blue lobsters and cotton candy lobsters that have been found but the calico is super rare.  I wouldn’t have the heart to eat something that rare.

I’m glad the employees at the Red Lobster knew they had something special and that Freckles can help educate kids and adults about the beauty of our natural world.