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7NEWS Brisbane / TwitterAn Irish man, who put a blue-ringed octopus on his arm for a photograph, claims he had no idea the animal could kill him. Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS, the 24-year-old says the one that didn’t get away makes for his best fishing tale yet. @ChloeAmandaB #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/qY89sjL53x
— 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) July 14, 2019
(Click here if video doesn’t play)
AN IRISH TOURIST has said he had no idea at the time that an octopus he put on his arm for a photo was one of the most venomous marine creatures in the world.
John Paul Lennon (24) has been travelling around Australia and fishing with friends when he came across the deadly creature at Burnett Heads in Bundaberg, north of Brisbane.
Speaking to 7 News Brisbane, Lennon and his friend Ross Saunders examined explained that Lennon has been trying to get photographs with as many animals as possible while in Australia.
“We realised it was an octopus, we didn’t realise what kind of octopus it was,” Ross told the news channel.
He’s been trying to get pictures with koalas, that kinda stuff. And he wanted a picture with the octopus on his arm.
The venomous blue-ringed octopus carries enough venom to kill 26 adult humans within minutes. It’s venom is called tetrodotoxin, which is 1,000 times more deadly than cyanide.
Usually, the effect of a blue-ringed octopus sting on humans is a total paralysis that can last for hours.
Lennon said he asked those around him if the octopus was dangerous and they said it wasn’t.
“I didn’t know at the time I was asking everyone was it anything dangerous and everyone told me no, so I thought it would have been alright to get a photo,” he said.
“It’s been on my mind constantly thinking what could have happened…. It’s just lucky I didn’t keep it on my arm for the photo.”
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One lucky bloke…
@tommytukamomo: Yes, however proof that you should do your own research too.
@tommytukamomo: buy a lottery ticket!
@tommytukamomo: One lucky idiot…
@tommytukamomo: I did that when I was in Australia in 2003. Found a small octopus in a rock pool when I was in on rainbow beach.. me and my mate tried to get it to squirt ink by gently pulling on it’s tentacles… A local nearly kicked me up and down the beach when he saw what we were doing… Looking back, I was so so lucky. Ignorance… I would have defo been up for a Darwin award if I was bitten.
Looks itentacle to the one in the Bond movie and its a big one too. Look at the mussels on it.
@Donwon999: you have got to be Codding, there’s a time and Plaice for that…
@tommytukamomo: yer two clams
@Donwon999: your pun was carp
@Donwon999: cringe
@Shane Hickey: puns
@STOIC SAVAGE: tee hee
@STOIC SAVAGE: ok.. Your puns were carp.. Same word on plural
@Donwon999: you’re a pure shark at the puns. Ye all seem to be having a whale of a time with it. I’m only codding sure this is only a red herring of a comment. Ciao-der! ;)
Even venomous octopuses think the Irish are sound.
John Paul Lennon… I wonder what music his parents were a fan of?
@thomas patrick: most John Pauls in Ireland were born in 78/79. I automatically thought of that. Your idea is a better one
@thomas patrick: Could be a pope thing too.
@thomas patrick: favourite song is clearly octopuses garden
Imagine…
@Mel Fitzpatrick:
all the people…
@Mel Fitzpatrick: living life in peace
I would go by the logic, that every animal in Australia is capable of killing you, the wide range of venemous creatures are not confined to an island continent for nothing you know.
If you are going to Australia you know everything is trying to hurt you literally , even a plant !!
It proves you were not ready to be called home
@pat seery: home?
@James Wallace: They poison you and then buy you a ticket to fly home. Sound yokes.
@pat seery: w
@pat seery: who would be calling him ?
The luck of the Irish
Everything in Australia is trying to kill you
All I wanted was a sweet distraction for an hour or two.
Had no intention to do the things we´ve done.
Funny how it always goes with love, when you don´t look, you find.
But then we´re two of a kind, we move as one.
We´re an all time high,
We´ll change all that´s gone before.
Doing so much more than falling in love.
On an all time high,
We´ll take on the world and wait.
So hold on tight, let the flight begin.
Just as well you didn’t put it on your plonker
Not a big James Bond fan then?
Paddy out on his own in the big wide world. ROFL
Nice light entertainment piece
Very lucky guy didn’t bite highly poisonous
The octopus was pulled out of its environment and unable to breathe. Why not put the creature back into the water instead of prolonging its discomfort just so you can wear it on your arm to pose for a picture.
have your say