The woman received two bites blue-ringed octopus and lived to tell the story. If the news is surprising, it is because it is one of the most poisonous animals in the world. In fact, according to some classifications, he is in fourth place in the ranking.
This is due to the presence in their salivary glands of a number of toxic substances, among which tetrodotoxin. Yes, the same as puffer fish. The blue-ringed octopus uses it mainly for defense. Therefore, if not disturbed, it usually does not attack a person, which is why deaths from it are very rare.
In the case of the woman on the news, she stumbled upon it by accident when, while swimming, she picked up a shell that caught her eye. The animal was inside and when it fell he took two bites in the stomachcausing him severe pain, which, fortunately, did not end with his death.
Why is the blue-ringed octopus so dangerous?
The venom of the blue-ringed octopus is estimated to be 1000 times more poisonous than cyanide. In addition, a small amount can kill 26 people in minutes.
This is due to a mixture of more than ten compounds extremely toxicamong which is tetrodotoxin. Said poison is produced by bacteria that live in the salivary glands of the octopus, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with it.
It is a neurotoxin that affects the transmission nerve signals responsible for muscle movement. Therefore, it can cause paralysis which, when applied to vital muscles, such as those that stimulate the heart or breathing, causes death.
It should also be noted that this is a small animal, from 12 to 20 centimeters and only 80 grams. However, he knows how to earn respect. Its color may changedepending on your circumstances. During hunting, it merges with the seabed. However, when threatened by a predator, its blue rings become more intense to show how venomous it is.
A story with a happy ending
The blue-ringed octopus can live in tropical areas, from the coast of Japan to Australiaalthough sea currents can carry it to other places, such as Mexico.
This story, like the story of a woman who fell on the most painful plant in the world, took place in Australia. The woman was swimming when she stumbled upon the octopus, holding on to the shell. She has since been seen for the first time by paramedics, who initially applied pressure and cold compresses. Then they took her to Royal North Shore Hospitalfrom Sydney, where he completed his convalescence.
No antidote the poison of this animal, so all that remained was to wait. And, fortunately, he was rescued. Perhaps the octopuses have inoculated less poison than usual. Doctors themselves do not explain this to them. Whatever the case, it’s a happy ending that perhaps a woman will think twice about the next time she wants to take a shell from the sea.
Source: Hiper Textual
