THE BLUE-RINGED OCTOPUS

This octopus is only 5 to 8 inches long, but it has a deadly bite! There are four species of this octopus in genus Hapalochlaena, and all four have the venon. According to some sources, these octopods have some of the most potent venom of any animal. It is 1,200 times more toxic to humans than cyanide, and there is no known antidote. Death could occur within 20 minutes or within a few hours, depending if the venom was injected and how much venom was injected into your blood stream.

           Figure 1. A blue-ringed octopus. From Beesley et al., 1998, pp. 548, fig. 13.35

 This octopus has yellowish skin with characteristic blue and black rings that can change color when the animal is threatened. Normally, it has a bluish color. When provoked it becomes somewhat yellow = a serious warning! Fortunately, they spend most of their time in hiding. 

It lives in tide pools, among coral-reef structures in tropical waters in the Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as Australia to Japan.  DO NOT EVER pick one up because it is an extremely venomous species. There is no anti-venom. Their toxin (called tetrodotoxin)  can paralyze and even kill a human within minutes.

   Classification

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Mollusca

Class Cephalopoda

Order Octopoda

Family Octopodidae

Genus Hapalochlaena

Type Species H. lunulata

Fortunately, these cephalopods spend most of time hiding in crevices. They eat small crustaceans (e.g. crabs and shrimp), as well as small fish. The female can coat her eggs with this venom in order to deter predators. So, also, never eat the eggs of this octopus.

REFERENCE

Beesley, P.L., G.J.B., Ross, and A. Wells. (eds.). 1998. Part A: Fauna of Australia, Volume 5, 563 pp. [see pp. 548-549).