It lives in corals and shallow areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans blue-ringed octopus. It is a very dangerous animal which can release tetrodotoxin (TTX).an incurable substance that can kill an adult human. It’s important to learn to identify them because they can seem harmless at first, like what happened to you British tourist filmed being manipulated in Philippines.
The blue-ringed octopus is small Aquatic animal and deadly animal which, as the name suggests, is characterized by Bluish circles that it shows all over its body and tentacles when it feels threatened.
This camouflage mechanism gives it its peculiar appearance is known as Aposematisma defense strategy that consists of Use bright colors as a warning about toxins possible predatorsas described in detail Natural History Museum (NHM) from the UK.
Unlike other aposematic animals that constantly display these bright colors, This octopus only betrays them when it feels threatened.
If you perceive danger, Its yellow or cream body is covered with blue rings outlined in black.
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is one of the most potent neurotoxins known. and has a direct effect on the nervous system. Other animals have the same substance, such as this Puffer fishwhich are used in gastronomy with the warning that if poorly prepared by the cook it can become a deadly dish.
Its mechanism is devastating: blocks the transmission of nerve impulses and thus prevents muscle contraction. It can cause muscle weakness and paralysis as well as vomiting and dizziness within minutes.
The victims usually remain conscious while they lose the ability to move until Paralysis of the diaphragm prevents breathing and they die from respiratory failure.
There is no antidote to tetrodotoxin.. The treatment available is respiratory support to keep the patient alive while the body tries to eliminate the effects of the toxin.
The blue-ringed octopus, for its part, distributes TTX throughout the body so that When a predator attacks it, the poison takes effect. Also can directly inject venom through a bite weak.
Andy McConnell, a British tourist vacationing in the Philippines, He handled a blue-ringed octopus without knowing that it was a dangerous animal.
In a video that circulated on social media, McConnell filmed himself with the mollusk in his hands.
Fortunately, The British’s ignorance had no consequencesin view of this The animal did not release the dangerous TTXas reported fox.
According to a study conducted in Taiwan, blue-ringed octopuses live here Shallow corals and rock pools on the shores. They can be found in countries like:
He NHM highlighted that There are about ten species of blue-ringed octopuses. The largest of them can generally measure 22 centimeters between the ends of its tentacles They are usually small looking animals. The youngest specimens may even be not much larger than a fingernail.
About The Author
