The bite of a blue-ringed octopus is one of the deadliest the world has to offer — and it comes in an ounce-sized, squishy, package.
The blue-ringed octopus, though tiny, packs a lethal punch. Despite being absolutely adorable, it is one of the deadliest animals in the world. The little cephalopod doesn’t have razor-sharp teeth or even the ability to travel particularly fast, but it does produce a paralyzing neurotoxin that can leave unsuspecting company paralyzed — or dead. Characterized by its blue and black rings which appear when the animal feels threatened, the seemingly harmless mollusk possesses a venomous neurotoxin, known as tetrodotoxin, which it releases through its salivary glands. Technically, all octopuses and cuttlefish are venomous, but the blue-ringed octopus can’t be compared.
Tetrodotoxin is 1,000 times more deadly than cyanide and the amount of poisonous liquid the little cephalopod carries can mean certain death for up to 26 people, or leave someone paralyzed for up to 24 hours after initial contact. Worse yet, there is no known antidote. A victim’s best bet is to get respiratory assistance immediately.
Of course, the animal’s ability to produce and secrete the venom is only one of its interesting characteristics. Indeed, the blue-ringed octopus’ hypnotizing appearance and dangerous internal functions are only half the story.It may not come as a surprise that this deadly creature is most prevalent in Australia. Though the blue-ringed octopus dwells all over the Indo-Pacific Ocean, it’s particularly common to the land down under’s southern region.
The mollusk, known scientifically as the Hapalochlaena maculosa, is less than five inches in diameter, weighs a mere ounce, and has eight flexible arms at its disposal. Though it’s the salivary glands that produce the fatal, paralyzing neurotoxin, the substance is distributed across all body parts, particularly the arms and stomach. Their eight arms are covered with suction pads like most other octopuses.
These blue-ringed ocean dwellers have a pretty short lifespan. From pea-sized babies to an adult ping-pong ball, the octopus usually survives no longer than three to four years.Blue-ringed octopuses are in the cephalopod class of mollusks because they have a soft and sack-like body that is reminiscent of snails and slugs. Because the blue-ringed octopus doesn’t have a protective layer to help it survive, some argue that they instead developed an impressive display system of iridescent rings, strong flexibility of the arms, high sensory systems, and a notable brain size.
Like other octopuses, too, this little mollusk has a tiny beak for a mouth hidden away until it is time to feedThe neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, is also found in pufferfish and is used by the octopus for hunting.
While human beings unlucky enough to experience a blue-ringed octopus’ poison have it rough, marine life has it worse. Once the prey has been identified — whether it be crabs, shrimp, or fish — the octopus has to crack through its exoskeleton. Once that protective layer has been permeated, the octopus secretes its venom into the animal’s bloodstream. Eventually, the prey will go numb, and then be paralyzed. This allows the octopus to eat its victim freely.
If you happen to find yourself in the unlikely yet possible scenario of surviving initial exposure to the animal’s tetrodotoxin, you’re in for a lengthy, terrifying ride. First, the venom will cut off your nerve signals and numb your muscles, and then you’ll experience complete paralysis. These symptoms are traumatizing enough but don’t even comprise the entirety of a blue-ringed octopus’ effects on a human victim. Vision loss, extending into blindness, could follow. Your motor skills are inhibited, before ultimately becoming useless when you can no longer move, at all. You won’t be able to smell, touch, taste, or hear. On top of that, you won’t be able to swallow.
Ultimately, it’s the muscle paralysis that’ll kill you — the heart is a muscle, after all. Without the blood-pumping organ functioning as intended, your lungs won’t receive the oxygenated blood they need to do their job. Thus, respiratory arrest follows, with your last known contact on Earth being a small, seemingly harmless octopus.
Survivors Of The Blue-Ringed Octopus Bite
There have been cases, of course, that prove to be exceptions to the rule. 49-year-old Anna Van Wyk was unlucky enough to be poisoned by a blue-ringed octopus in Australia but fortunate enough that emergency crews knew to induce artificial breathing as soon as possible.