Most scholars agree that blue-ringed octopuses have killed at least 11 people, though the true number could be as low as seven or as high as 16.
Despite being tiny and fragile-looking, these Australian sea creatures carry enough venom to kill 26 adult humans within minutes.
The venom produced in their salivary glands can cause nausea, respiratory arrest, heart failure, severe and sometimes total paralysis, blindness, and even death within minutes of a bite.
The worst part is that the bite itself is often painless, so victims may not realise they’ve been bitten until paralysis begins.
