Unusual blue, red, albino and even yellow lobsters have made headlines in the past…but Harley is thought to be the most unusual yet - a 50-million-to-one mutant.
Harley Quinn the lobster was named after the medieval jesters famed for their bi-coloured costumes. The similarity is enhanced by the fact that Harley’s unusual pigmentation swaps sides when it reaches his claws.
He was found by a startled creel fisherman off Bridlington in June 2010, and rightly judged too unique to be served up as a seafood supper!
He was given pride-of-place in a display at Scarborough Sea Life Centre, where staff have been serving him dinner every day since instead.
Growing steadily, Harley has just shed his unique armour for the second time since his arrival, and his keepers were delighted to see that his new suit is his most spectacular yet!
"Whereas he was previously a reddish-black on one side and light sandy colour on the other, he has now adopted a deep electric blue down one side," said aquarist Amy McFarlane.
"He’s such a striking individual he did extremely well to avoid predators like conger eels and seals when he was in the open sea," she added.
"Now safe from attack, he could live another 60 or 70 years."
Harley is pictured at the top of the page between his two old coats, which have been carefully preserved and will now be going on display close to the incredible crustacean himself.
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