Southern Blue-ringed Octopus (species: Hapalochlaena maculosa) in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Bilateria > Protostomia > Lophozoa > Mollusca > Cephalopoda > Coleoidea > Octopodiformes > Octopoda > Incirrata > Octopodoidea > Octopodidae > Octopodinae > Hapalochlaena > Hapalochlaena maculosa (gallery)
Hapalochlaena maculosa
Southern Blue-ringed Octopus


©Mark Norman / Museum Victoria: Southern Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa)

©Mark Norman / Museum Victoria: Southern Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Cephalopoda
Order Octopoda
Family Octopodidae
Genus Hapalochlaena
Species Hapalochlaena maculosa
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Distinguishing features

Distinguishing features still need to be specified.

Size

  • Up to 20 cm (From top of head to tip of tentacles)

Depth range

  • From 0 m to 50 m - applies to The maximum depth is a conservative estimate.

Synonyms

Interesting facts

  • Their blue rings get more obvious when they undergo an emotional change, such as when they feel threatened. This is a clear warning to leave them alone.
  • The Southern Blue-ringed Octopus cannot produce ink as a defence against predators.

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Southern Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa)

Distribution and habitat preferences

Rock pools at beaches. On or near the sea floor.

Web resources

Danger

  • often fatal - The Southern Blue-ringed Octopus is capable of injecting a paralysing venom when it bites. The venom is capable of stopping a person's breathing and heart beat.