The small but mighty blue-ringed octopus produces the most toxic venom of any cephalopod. (Image credit: Belive… via Getty Images)
Octopuses have long earned a reputation for being clever camouflagers and intelligent creatures. But some are known for a darker reason: They pose a serious threat.
One group, the blue-ringed octopuses (genus Hapalochlaena), is particularly dangerous. But what makes this creature so deadly?
Blue-ringed octopuses contain a deadly neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin (TTX), which can paralyze living organisms, including humans. Tetrodotoxin is most famous for its role in pufferfish: improperly prepared “fugu” can kill anyone who eats it. Tetrodotoxin is 1,200 times more toxic to humans than cyanide, and there is no antidote.
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Sourse: www.livescience.com
