Sheree Marris, A marine biologist, was walking along the beach when she found a discarded beer can. When she went to pick it up she found a deadly surprise.
The beer can left as trash on the shore turned out to be the temporary home of a venomous blue-ringed octopus.
Marris told Storyful, “Old bottles and cans make for the perfect hideout, protecting their soft, boneless bodies from predators. So when I’m walking along the beach I always take an extra careful look.”
Marris recounted that as she was walking along the beach when she found a beer can that had “a little bit of weight to it.” Marris pointed her flashlight inside, and surprisingly a blue-ringed tentacle ventured out of it.
Marris said, “Next minute, one of the world’s most venomous animals emerged.”
In the video, the little octopus can be seen sliding out of its new home.
Blue-ringed octopuses are colorful creatures. The colors are not just for show. They flash their bright colors to warn predators when they feel threatened.
You do not want to be bitten by a blue-ringed octopus.
As reported by Ocean Conservancy:
First, the venom blocks nerve signals throughout the body, causing muscle numbness. Other symptoms include nausea, vision loss or blindness, loss of senses and loss of motor skills. Ultimately, it will cause muscle paralysis—including the muscles needed for humans to breathe, leading to respiratory arrest. There is no known antidote, but victims can be saved if artificial respiration is started immediately.
If you ever come across this beautiful blue and yellow creature, back away quickly. It’s bite is usually painless, so you might not know you’ve been bitten until it’s too late. However, the blue-ringed octopus isn’t usually aggressive. As with any animal, it is only likely to attack if cornered or handled (like in a beer can).
Though excited to see this beauty emerging from the beer can, Marris waited for the octopus to move back inside before putting it further out in the sea.
“It’s a cautionary tale to be careful when picking up rubbish and empty cans on the beach,” she said.
