This all occurs almost instantly and is known as an aposematic display – effectively a warning meant to indicate that the small cephalopod means business. Octopuses, along with squid and cuttlefishes have a short lifespan of about 2 years. Their bites are tiny and often painless, with many victims not realizing they have been envenomated until respiratory depression and paralysis begins. Browse 125 blue ringed octopus stock photos and images available or search for box jellyfish or great white shark to find more great stock photos and pictures. “Blue Ringed Octopus.”, Biologydictionary.net Editors. Blue Ring Octopuses can camouflage Biologydictionary.net, October 01, 2020. https://biologydictionary.net/blue-ringed-octopus/. They are very small in size but their anatomy allows them to be very powerful. Its bright blue rings serve as a warning to its predators, a beautiful and clear message that says “do not touch, I am dangerous”. Despite their docile nature and small size, the blue ringed octopus can be very dangerous due to its highly poisonous venom. Interesting facts: Female Blue-ringed octopus lay only one clutch of about fifty eggs in their lifetime towards the end of Autumn. The blue-ringed octopus is a very effective hunter. Interestingly, male blue ringed octopus will mate with virtually any member of its species, regardless of size or age. It hunts small crabs, hermit crabs, and shrimp, and may bite humans if provoked or stepped on. Octopus can also change color. Description: Despite their small size (this species is maximum size 8cm) and relatively docile nature, they are currently recognized as one of the world's most venomous animals. The body of the Blue-Ringed Octopus is very impressive. They are known for their colorful patterns of bright blue rings and their highly poisonous venom. However, the arms can spread very wide when they are trying to capture prey.They are usually seen swimming in the water instead of crawling. Either the poison is expelled in the saliva into the water or the octopus bites its prey or predator. This is also how they will hunt their prey, injecting them with the toxin to incapacitate them. In fact, the blue-ringed octopus is among the most venomous animals in all of the world’s oceans. Eels, birds, and fish may attempt to eat the octopus but must do so using the element of surprise. This measurement is taken from the top of its mantle mantle to the tip of the arms and has an average weight of 26 grams. The blue ringed octopus is predatory and uses its venom to its advantage while hunting for various animals. The small octopus pounces on its prey quickly, using its tentacle-like arms to pull the victim towards its mouth. The Blue Ringed Octopus is a common term for four highly venomous octopus species that are part of the genus Hapalochlaena. Their most distinctive feature is the blue iridescent rings that cover their yellow-colored body; however, it is important to emphasize that this feature is only displayed when the animal is disturbed, hunting or mating. However, size doesn’t hold them back for long, as their mother’s legacy lives on in the form of the deadly venom she equipped them with, allowing them to find prey they would otherwise be unable to subdue safely. Mr Hart said the small tentacled … Adults range in size from 12 to 20 cm (5 to 8 in) and weigh from 10 to 100 grams. The smallest species can reach a maximum size of around 12 centimetres (body and arms) while the largest species, the Southern Blue-Ring can reach a maximum of 20 centimetres. Although it is highly venomous, the blue ringed octopus is very small, growing to 5-8 inches (12-20 cm) in length and weighing no more than 1 oz (28 g). Ecology: Two types of poison secreted by two separate poison glands are used against prey and predators. Eggs are laid then incubated underneath the female's arms for approximately six months, and during this process she will not eat. Did You Know? The venom contains tetrotoxin, a deadly neurotoxin that can cause motor paralysis. Recent studies have shown that female blue ringed octopus will also inject this venom into their eggs, allowing them to generate their own venom before hatching. If well-received, the male will grab on to the female with its other arms, and insert its sperm packets into her mantle cavity using his hectocotylus, a modified arm. Ranging in size from 12 to 20 centimetres, they will hide in rocks and crevices and usually only come out at night. Retrieved from https://biologydictionary.net/blue-ringed-octopus/. 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