For Todays lesson; Blue-ringed Octopus!

Not only am I going to teach you a few things about the infamous deadly Blue-ringed octopus, I am also going to use my special lifesaving knowledge to teach you what to do if you ever get bitten by one of these bad boys.

There are 3 species of blue-ringed octopus, and 2 of these are only found within Australia. The Blue-lined octopus (Hapalochlaena fasciata) is found mostly within Queensland and New South Wales. It is covered in blue streaks rather than rings and enjoys swimming around the ocean (up to 10-15m depth) as well as the intertidal region. The more common one is the Southern blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) most commonly found within the tidal regions in Southern Australia (QLD, NSW and VIC) and has the infamous blue rings covering its body. The Southern blue-ringed is the one I shall be going over more intimately (because I know it better) but most of the information can be applied to the blue-lined octopus. 

What is it?

The blue-ringed octopus (which I am now shortening to BRO because I don't want to have to type it out a million times) is, like all octopuses, a cephalopod mollusc. Its diet consists of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, with the BLO (lined) species also consuming fish if it can catch one. 

BROs have a beak which it uses to distribute a neurotoxin into its prey after it has pounced on it in and captured it with its arms. This beak is strong enough to break through the exoskeleton of crustaceans. To give you an idea on how deadly this neurotoxin is, depending on it's size (most are around 12cm long) it can kill approximately 20-30 humans within minutes. 

Like all octopuses, the BRO can manipulate its shape so it can hide in small crevices within rockpools and piles rocks in front of its hiding spot as to avoid predation. If an arm is amputated, it is possible for them to regenerate it (which by the way all octopuses can do). they can propel themselves through the water using their hyponome to expel a large amount of water pushing them forward.

What's the deal with the blue rings?

The BRO doesn't always have its distinctive blue rings activated, these are only seen when the BRO is angry or feels threatened. The photo on the left is a BRO specimen from the Melbourne Museum shows what they look like in their dormant happy-go-lucky state. The right shows what it looks like with the rings.

What should I do if I see one/bitten?

First off if you see one, leave it there and DO NOT TOUCH IT! Remember the location of where you spotted it and report it to either the local surf club or council so they know there are some about. BROs are harmless unless provoked so don't kill it or try and get a closer look, just leave it alone.

It is reported that most people won't feel the bite when it initially happens and can go unnoticed at first. I can't believe I actually found a photo of the bite, and this is the only physical evidence of  the BRO biting their victim.

Within the first 10 minutes symptoms of the neurotoxin start to emerge and if this is happening, you need to call an ambulance IMMEDIATELY (112 or 000) and find someone to be with you until they arrive. If you found the bite location, apply a pressure bandage starting below the bite site upward on the affected limb to the joint (eg if a bite is on the wrist, start at the fingers and end at the elbow). This can be used to treat any venomous bite from any animal.

First symptoms include weakness and numbness around the face, nausea and vomiting. Soon they will become totally paralysed while still conscious, but their heart will stop and they will not be able to breath for themselves any more. Without help, they can be dead within 30mins of the initial bite. CPR is required to keep them alive (30 compressions to 2 breaths) and do not say anything negative about the patient while preforming CPR because they are still conscious and can hear everything you are saying. Unfortunately there isn't an antivenom for BROs, so they will need to stay in hospital for an extended period of time until all venom has been flushed from their system. 

And that's this weeks lesson on intertidal systems! Oh and fun fact, Octopussy (the character from the James Bond film, Octopussy) had a tattoo of a BRO. I have all the bond films but unfortunately I don't have that one on my laptop. So here is a photo of her in her dressing gown