Hapalochlaena lunulata-Blue Ringed Octopus
Toxin
Where and what does it do?
The toxin secreted in the salivary glands in the blue-ringed octopus is produced by a bacteria. This toxin is called tetrodotoxin. This is also found in puffer fish and cone snails. Once this toxin is in your body it shuts down all the nerves in your nervous system. People usually die because of a lack of oxygen. It only takes one milligram of this toxin to kill a human. There is no antidote for this toxin but if the victim is taken to the hospital very quickly after the attack there is a slight chance of survival. There is also a second toxin that is harmless to humans but is used to hunt their prey. The blue-ringed octopuses are a grey/beige color until they are disturbed then they flash their bright iridescent blue rings as a warning to those that are around it.
