Southern blue-ringed octopus

Southern blue-ringed octopus
Hapalochlaena maculosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Order: Octopoda
Family: Octopodidae
Subfamily: Octopodinae
Genus: Hapalochlaena
Species: H. maculosa
Binomial name
Hapalochlaena maculosa
(Hoyle, 1883)

The southern blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) is one of three (or perhaps four) species of blue-ringed octopuses. It is most commonly found in tidal rock pools along the south coast of Australia. As an adult, it can grow up to 20 centimetres (8 in) long (top of the mantle to the tip of the arms) and on average weighs 26 grams (0.9 oz). They are normally a docile species, but they are highly venomous possessing venom capable of killing humans. Their blue rings appear with greater intensity when they become aggravated or threatened.

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