A woman has had a lucky escape after unwittingly holding one of the deadliest animals in the world for a holiday picture.
Kaylin Phillips, from North Carolina in US, came across a colour-looking octopus on a beach when she visited Bali on holiday.
But little did she know that the small sea creature was a blue-ringed octopus, which is able to kill humans within 26 minutes.
She only discovered the fact while searching for the species online – and only belatedly realised that she had dodged death.
Sharing the story on TikTok @kaylinmarie21, she said: "Going to Bali and unknowingly holding one of the most dangerous animals."
While she is cupping the blue-spotted octopus in her hands, her friend splashes water on it and they both watch it crawl around Kaylin's hand.
Later, she posted the information she found, writing: "The blue-ringed octopus, despite its small size, carries enough venom to kill 26 adult humans within minutes.
"Their bits are tiny and often painless, with many victims not realising they have been envenomated until respiratory depression and paralysis begins. No blue-ringed octopus anti-venom is available."
At the end of the clip, she shows her face and adds: "Cheers for still being alive."
A findings on Ocean Conservancy stated that the ocotopus' venom could cause muscle numbness and other symptoms including nausea, vision loss or blindness, loss of senses and loss of motor skills.
One viewer wrote: "I've watched enough animal planet to know that beautiful animals with bright colours are a no touching zone."
Another said: "The bright colour pattern is supposed to be a warning. Do they not teach that in Science anymore?"
"God is protecting you," a third added.
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