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The Blue Ringed Octopus of Australia
by eslori Australia
http://www.exploreaustralia.com
The legendary Great Barrier Reef, a network of almost 3,000
natural reefs that spans the Australia~s Northern coast, is
home of thousands of species of colorful fish and unique
sea life. From rainbow-hued fish to the living coral that
makes up the reef, the underwater flora and fauna is
amazing. This spectacular environment and fantastic varies
of species bring scuba divers and snorkelers en mass to the
natural wonder. However, hidden in the crystal waters
admidst the beauty of the reef swims a dangerous and deadly
creature: the blue ringed octopus.
This tiny but magnificent creature produces two types
poison in special glands that secrete the lethal substance
into its salvia. When it becomes agitated, the dark yellow
octopus turns into its famous vivid yellow hue with the
blue ringed pattern and can potentially bite the aggressor,
thus introducing venom into the victim.
This toxin is substantially detrimental to the victim~over
10,000 times the potency of cyanide. Upon entry into the
system~s bloodstream, the poison attacks the nervous system
and stops the conduction of nerves, resulting in paralysis.
As the paralysis takes over the victim~s body, essential
organs such as the heart and lungs will stop working.
Divers usually are ignorant of the presence of this octopus
in their vicinity due to its small size and often even do
not feel its bite. The creature has a sharp, beak-like mouth
capable of penetrating a wetsuit. The Australian Government
has spared no efforts to educate and warn visitors of the
dangers posed by the blue ringed octopus. Warning signs are
placed over areas where the blue ringed octopus is known to
inhabit, to caution the visitors to avoid contact with this
creature.
Immediate medical attention is required for a human bitten
by the blue ringed octopus. Since many victims do not feel
the bite or pain when they are bitten by it, realization
seeps in only when nausea sets in. This is followed a by a
loss of sensation and subsequent blindness. This is start
of organ failure. Due to unavailability of anti-venom, the
only mode of saving the victim's life is by working the
poison out of his or her body naturally. For this, the
victim is placed on a ventilator to assist breathing and a
heart massage has to be given for normal heart beating
during the course of paralysis setting in.
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