Australia's Blue-Ringed Octopus: Facts About these Venomous Creatures

One of the more frightening residents in certain parts of Australia is the blue-ringed octopus. It's a pretty creature to look at, but don't attempt to touch one.

They are generally a brownish gray color and can lay well camouflaged in rock pools or on the sand. When they become irate or feel threatened by predators, they turn a spectacular electric blue color. They hunt at night and dine on ailing small fish and invertebrates. They have a tiny but very sharp little beak which can bite even through your thickest clothing. If you're hunting for shells or crabs it is advisable to wear heavy leather shoes. Generally they are not aggressive, but considering you are an unknown they may become intimidated and attempt to slither up onto your sandal-clad foot.

There are about ten known species of this little beast. Some will grow to around 7 inches across, and others are very tiny and only weigh about 1 or 2 ounces at best.

Two Poisons:

The octopus has 2 glands which both contain venom. One is for hunting it's prey, the other for killing those who they believe are stalking it. It can bite a crab and render it useless in just seconds, then drags it away for lunch. This venom gland will not produce poison toxic to humans. It also does not pump poison into you, but it's saliva will do the job. The other gland however, can cause you to succumb to motor paralysis, respiratory failure or both and die within minutes. Prior to this, you will have become nauseated, your eyesight will fail, you will not be able to speak nor will you have any sense of touch, and you will lose the ability to swallow. Even worse is the fact that you will be completely aware of what is happening to you although you are rendered totally helpless.

There is no known cure for it's bite, no antidote is available - and it is said to be more venomous than any land animal and quite able to excrete enough poison to kill around 25 human adults in minutes.

If you're fortunate enough to have an accomplished person to administer CPR for you, and they have a cell phone you might just be lucky to make it. If continuous heart massage and mouth to mouth are given to keep you alive until you can be transported to hospital, you'll be put on a mechanical respirator and might just recover after 24 hours when the poison exits your body. Ironically, one who suffers this devastating encounter can recover fully since there are no known side affects from the toxins.

Source:

http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=403