A TORQUAY resident found a blue-ringed octopus near Torquay back beach recently, and has warned beach-goers to look but not touch if they come across the beautiful but deadly creatures.<\/p>\n
Steve Taylor said he spotted a group of children clustered around a rockpool at Rocky Point, and walked over to see what they were looking at.<\/p>\n
Upon realising it was a blue-ring octopus, he picked up the creature in a net and moved it away into deeper water.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot many people are aware of the potential deadly consequences in handling this locally common creature,\u201d Mr Taylor said.<\/p>\n
According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science, there are several species collectively known as blue-ringed octopi that can be found in Australian coastal waters, but they all have a bite containing a strong, fast-acting neurotoxin that
\nparalyses the target by blocking the nerves from transmitting messages.<\/p>\n
This toxin is known to have caused the deaths of at least three people – two in Australia and one in Singapore – and many more have come close to death through paralysis of the breathing muscles. Fortunately, blue-ringed octopi are retiring
\ncreatures and will only bite if they are being harassed and poked.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a Torquay local I think it’s very important that everyone, especially visitors, should have some knowledge of the local dangers and to look, not touch,\u201d Mr Taylor said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A TORQUAY resident found a blue-ringed octopus near Torquay back beach recently, and has warned beach-goers to look but not touch if they come across the beautiful but deadly creatures. Steve Taylor said he spotted a group of children clustered around a rockpool at Rocky Point, and walked over to see what they were looking […]<\/p>\n