Hapalochlaena maculosa

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Spiralia
Cladus: Lophotrochozoa
Phylum: Mollusca
Classis: Cephalopoda
Subclassis: Coleoidea
Cohors: Neocoleoidea
Superordo: Octopodiformes
Ordo: Octopoda
Subordo: Incirrina
Familia: Octopodidae
Subfamilia: Octopodinae
Genus: Hapalochlaena
Species: Hapalochlaena maculosa

Name

Hapalochlaena maculosa Hoyle, 1888

Vernacular names
English: Southern Blue-ringed Octopus

The Southern Blue-ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) is one of 3 (or perhaps 4) species of blue-ringed octopuses. It is most commonly found in tidal rock pools along the south coast of Australia. As an adult, it can grow up to 20 centimeters long (top of the mantle to the tip of the arms) and on average weighs 26 grams. They seem docile but they are extremely poisonous. Its venom is powerful enough to kill humans and their blue rings appear with greater intensity when they undergo an emotional change.