It is normally yellowish brown but when disturbed its blue rings become bright and obvious. It is not aggressive by nature but will bite when provoked. The venom is contained in the saliva, which comes from two glands each as big as the animal s brain. It has two components. Humans, when bitten, usually do not feel the bit but soon notice a numbness around the mouth followed quickly by paralysis.
Death can result from respiratory failure.
This octopus lives in shallow water, typically in sheltered rock pools and crevices, can and bottles. Never put your hands where you cannot see them. The venom is not injected but enters the wound in saliva. Washing the bite may therefore remove venom from the surface. Most are shy and stay away from people, biting only when provoked, if at all.