A lethal blue-ringed octopus, capable of killing up to 26 adult humans within minutes, has been found washed up on Nudist Beach in the West Tamar area.
A local resident shared a photo of the octopus on the Greens Beach Community Connect group to warn others of the danger on the local beach.
Blue-ringed octopuses rank among the most venomous in their species, as their bite induces paralysis and respiratory depression that can lead to suffocation.
Ned Reardon from Surf Life Saving told Pulse people must avoid the octopuses and refrain from disturbing their environments.
“To stay safe, adopt a ‘look but don’t touch’ policy when exploring rock pools, as the blue-ringed octopus’s well-camouflaged nature makes it difficult to spot until threatened,” he said.
A blue-ringed octopus is usually camouflaged as light-brown or dark yellow but rapidly changes color when agitated, displaying bright yellow and blue rings as a warning to predators.
Reardon urged anyone who is bitten by a blue-ringed octopus to call triple zero (000) immediately.
“Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the bite site, if you’re not sure how to do this ask your patient to remain as still as possible.”
“If the patient stops breathing commence CPR and continue until medical assistance arrives and is able to take over.”
