The Deadly Blue-Ringed Octopus
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is one of the most famous octopus species, mainly due to the fact that its bite is poisonous and can kill an adult man in a matter of minutes.
The Blue-Ringed Octopus can be such an effective camouflage artist that it can make itself indistinguishable from its surrounding environment. This means that divers in areas where this octopus occurs (mainly around Australia and in some parts of the Indian Ocean) should be extremely careful not to accidentally disturb and provoke an attack from a Blue-Ringed Octopus.
Spotting The Blue-Ringed Octopus
Very recently, a diver at Marks Point (close to Sydney, Australia) was collecting shells when he was suddenly bitten by a Blue-Ringed Octopus he had not noticed. Fortunately, this man lived to tell the tale, but the tale was nevertheless scary and full of pain.
This amazingly beautiful species might be a little killer, but at least it usually gives a fair warning before striking. When it feels threatened, it flashes its iridescent blue rings to proclaim its toxicity and scare off any intruders to its territory.
Blue Ringed Versus Blue Ringed
This very dramatic video shows how an individual of this species stealthily approaches its victim (a tasty hermit crab) and, using its typical “pouncing” technique, grasps its meal with its eight arms. There is now no escape for the poor crab, which is trapped within its protective shell.
As if the drama was not enough, suddenly a second Blue-Ringed Octopus approaches the scene. Both octopuses are of approximately the same size and a physical battle would be too destructive for both of them. So, the fight takes on another, less harmful form. It is a battle of intimidation based on postures and color changes.
The winner of the battle will be the octopus which will manage to appear bigger, by raising its mantle and filling it with water. “Insults” are exchanged in the form of impressive skin color and texture changes. Even though both octopuses are extremely “eloquent”, the fight is finally won by the first octopus, which returns to enjoy its well-deserved meal.
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