| Cephalopods | Invertebrates |
Greater Blue-ringed Octopus
Hapalochlaena lunulata
| Conservation Status: Safe for Now
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- © R.Caldwell. Used with permission
The greater blue-ringed octopus is one of several species of blue-ringed octopuses. All are thought to be venomous and for their size, they are the most deadly of all cephalopods. It is said that the venom of this octopus could kill 26 adults in just a few minutes. There is no antivenin for treatment. Fortunately, these octopuses do not attack humans. Injury typically occurs when a blue-ringed octopus is stepped on or picked up.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Northern Australia to Japan including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Indonesia as far west as Sri Lanka.
- Amazing Facts
Blue-ringed octopuses get their common name from their blue rings. The ‘greater’ part of the common name of H. lunulata comes not from its body size, but from the size of the blue rings on its dorsal surface and arms.
- At the Aquarium
Not on exhibit. Information included in the Ocean Learning Center for use as a reference. Our thanks to Dr. Roy Caldwell, University of California Berkeley, for his review of this information.
