From a surprise donation to a spirited public naming contest, discover the story behind our newest (and feistiest) marine ambassador.
In June 2026, the Shaw Institute was thrilled to receive a spunky rare blue lobster, generously donated by the Atwood Lobster Company in South Thomaston, Maine. We are deeply grateful for their support and generosity.
What are the Odds
His striking blue coloration is caused by a rare genetic mutation that results in an overproduction of a protein called crustacyanin, creating the vivid blue shell that makes him one in two million. By comparison, bright red lobsters occur in roughly one in 10 million, while orange and yellow lobsters are even rarer, appearing in only about one in 30 million individuals.
The People Have Spoken
In July, the institute launched a public naming contest and ended up receiving over 90 different names as submissions! We painstakingly narrowed it down to six names which included, Poseidon, Cool Ranch, Gordon Bleu, Grumpy McPincherpants, Clawde and Blucifer.
And after 45 days of voting, the winner is… Blucifer!
What’s in a Name
The name Blucifer was submitted the day before our submission contest ended in July by Tim Thompson who was visiting from Colorado with this family. Tim, who is originally from Maine, says “the name Blucifer is one that most Coloradans will recognize and I submitted it in a rush just to be part of the naming competition.” The name is inspired by the iconic blue mustang statue by artist Luis Jimenez featured at the Denver International Airport which the locals refer to as, Blucifer.
The competition was too close to call, with Clawde and Blucifer often tying for the number one spot, but ultimately the people had a favorite, and Blucifer ultimately won. Tim was very excited when we told him the news saying, “Being a finalist became a surprisingly big deal in my family, and actually winning is an honor I fully intend to put on my LinkedIn.”
Although our Blucifer only weighs two pounds—which is much less than the 9,000 pound statue he is named after—he has been known to stand tall and make aggressive postures to try and intimidate guests, so the name is actually very fitting!
Conservation Through Awareness
With Shaw Institute as Blucifer’s new home, this rare decapod offers a chance to educate and engage the local community about the Gulf of Maine’s wide marine diversity, and the vital need to preserve our coastal habitats. You can visit Blucifer and all our other critters at Shaw Institute’s Environmental Education Center, Wednesday through Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM at 55 Main St in Blue Hill, ME. Admission is currently free, but donations are welcome to keep our doors open and animals happy.
Support Our Educational Efforts
Hosting marine life for educational impact and awareness are made possible through the generosity of donors and supporters. Contributions to the Shaw Institute allow us to continue having a robust and attractive aquarium experience for the marine life and youth engagement. It allows the institute to host exciting events, conduct vital environmental research, and empower local youth to meet modern challenges with fresh perspectives. To support our mission and help inspire the next generation of conservationists, please consider making a donation to the Shaw Institute today.