A snorkeler in Perth had quite a surprise after spending an hour cleaning up underwater litter. As he was going through his gear, he discovered a potentially deadly blue-ringed octopus had hitched a ride without him even noticing.
Mat Rogerson, the snorkeler, shared images of the octopus clinging to his goggles, and he confessed he hadn't felt a bite, which was alarming because their bites are usually painless.
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Rogerson carefully returned the octopus to North Beach, but he was left wondering how it had remained concealed in his equipment. He speculated that it might have emerged from either his black snorkel or a blue rubber dog ball with a hole in it, as there were no other hiding spots in the collected trash. He vowed to be more cautious about what he carries in his wetsuit in the future.
Blue-ringed octopuses are known to be one of Australia's deadliest creatures, thanks to their potent venom, tetrodotoxin, which can prove lethal within minutes. These tiny but striking creatures are often found in tide pools and coral reefs.
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Aussies were astonished by Rogerson's unexpected guest and jokingly suggested it was the universe's way of repaying him for helping keep the ocean clean. Some praised his efforts, saying he did good by cleaning up the ocean, assisting an octopus, and avoiding harm.
Blue-ringed octopuses may be undeniably stunning and have an Instagram-worthy appearance, but don't let their looks deceive you. They're exceptionally deadly and among the ocean's most toxic creatures.
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He took the tiny octopus back to the shore, and it's a good thing he did. These octopuses are typically found in coral reefs and rocky areas in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, along with tide pools, seagrass, and algal beds. When threatened, they display their bright blue rings. Their salivary glands produce tetrodotoxin, which is known to be over 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide.
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Their bites are nearly painless, and their venom works quickly, causing muscle weakness, paralysis, vomiting, and dizziness, ultimately leading to respiratory failure and death.
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Social media users were both amazed and shocked by Rogerson's encounter. It's a good lesson for everyone, emphasizing the importance of being cautious even in seemingly clean waters.