TOKYOJul 6 (News On Japan) – As sea temperatures rise, the habitats of marine life are changing, and some of these changes include dangerous creatures that require caution. One such creature is the venomous blue-ringed octopus, which has a venom hundreds of times more potent than cyanide.
As summer vacation approaches, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is issuing a warning that encounters with this octopus could be life-threatening in some cases.
Letโs take a look at the Blue-Ringed Octopus in real life. When you poke it with a stick, its leopard-like patterns become more pronounced. According to the Shinagawa Aquarium, this is when the octopus can bite. Its saliva contains venom that is said to be hundreds of times more potent than cyanide, and a bite can sometimes be fatal.
Originally, the species lived in the southern seas around Okinawa, due to the effects of global warming, but recently the species has been spotted near the Kanto region.
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is particularly tricky because of its size. It is only about 4 inches long, small enough for a child’s hand to grasp.
Another problematic feature is its ability to blend in with the environment, such as rocks and seaweed, making it easy to accidentally step on. In the sea, it is even harder to spot, so wearing marine shoes to protect your feet can be a good precaution.
As summer vacation approaches and people head to the seaside, Shinagawa Aquarium advises people to enjoy water activities by staying away from and not touching the blue-ringed octopus.
Source: ANNE
