The Blue-Ringed Octopus, Hapalochlaena maculosa, has one of the deadliest toxins of all sea creatures! Its venomous bite can easily kill a human despite its diminutive size of less than 12cm.

Fortunately human deaths are very rare as long as effective treatment is close at hand.

Edithburgh has a large population of these fascinating critters however they’re not often seen as they hide during the day and come out at night to hunt.

Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Blue Ringed Denizen’, 1/60s f/4 ISO100 35mm