Description

The Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena) are octopus that live in tide pools and coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, from Japan to Australia. Their primary habitat is around southern New South Wales, South Australia, and northern Western Australia. They are recognized as one of the world’s most venomous marine animals, despite their average small size of 5″ to 8″ inches, and relatively docile nature. Blue-Ringed Octopus can be identified by their characteristic blue and black rings, and yellowish skin.

When the Blue-Ringed Octopus is agitated, the brown patches darken dramatically, iridescent blue rings, or clumps of rings, appear and pulsate within the maculae. Typically, 50–60 blue rings cover the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the mantle. They hunt small crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp, and other small crustaceans.