Blue Ringed Octopus
by Science Photo Library
Title
Blue Ringed Octopus
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Blue ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata). This small octopus inhabits the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It is highly poisonous, paralysing its prey using poison in its saliva. The poison is tetrodotoxin (TTX), one of the most toxic chemicals known, which is also found in puffer fish. TTX is produced by symbiotic bacteria which inhabit the salivary glands of this octopus. A bite can be fatal to a human within an hour. The octopus uses the poison to paralyse its prey and as a form of defence. It mainly eats small fish and crustaceans. It reaches a length of around 15 centimetres. Photographed in Mabul, Malaysia.
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September 16th, 2018
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