The Venomous Octopus 

   Whilst rock pool fishing in Bali, Indonesia, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I chanced upon a creature I had studied in school, a tiny baby blue-ringed octopus. I had to catch it and put it in my bucket. I had always felt comfortable holding an octopus as I had done it so many times before in Italy. I slowly picked up the octopus and marvelled at its pulsating blue and black markings. I was completely mesmerised by this creature but had completely forgotten that blue-ringed octopuses are one of the most venomous creatures on Earth! Their venom is powerful enough to kill humans within minutes.

   I'll never forget my mother and the hotel manager running over to me yelling, "...do you know how dangerous it is? You could have died!" In retrospect I took a huge risk, but at the time I never experienced any fear but just a mutual respect between myself and this innocent creature. I will never forget meeting the blue-ringed octopus.