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The Blue Ringed Octopus of Australia
 by eslori Australia
http://www.exploreaustralia.com

Tourists flock to Australia to see for themselves the
spectacular natural beauty that it offers. The Great
Barrier Reef that spans Australia's Northern coast is one
such place where one can see simultaneously many species of
fish and unique marine life. No everywhere you would find
rainbow-hued fish and the living coral that comprise the
reef besides other underwater flora and fauna. This network
of almost 3,000 natural reefs attracts scuba divers,
snorkelers and adventure seekers from all over the world.
This spectacular beauty, however, hides one of the most
deadly creatures of the world: the blue ringed octopus.

This octopus is tiny in size and has special glands
producing two types poison that is secreted into its
salvia. On scenting danger, this dark yellow creature turns
into vivid yellow with a blue ringed pattern and bites the
aggressor, secreting venom into the bloodstream of the
victim. This venom is extremely lethal -over 10000 times
the potency of cyanide. The poison attacks the nervous
system and paralysis the victim by stopping the conduction
of nerves. Soon paralysis spreads over the entire body and
eventually the heart and lungs stop working.

The scuba divers and snorkelers face a constant threat from
this small octopus. The blue ringed octopus usually likes
to mind his own business and keeps to himself. He resides
in small holes and cracks and comes out only to hunt in
small tide pools or other places with little water. It is
when it is out for hunting that he comes across human
beings. Those who have been bitten by the blue ringed
octopus may not have even noticed it because it is so
small. They may not even feel the bite. It has a very sharp
mouth like a beak and can bite through a wetsuit.

The government of Australia warns visitors to beware of the
possible dangers of the blue ringed octopus. They have
marked the areas where the blue ringed octopus has been
seen. They caution the divers and swimmers to stay away
from these areas lest they encounter the deadly 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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