Deadly detail in oblivious tourist’s Bali holiday video
A tourist has filmed herself holding a creature that can kill a human within minutes while holidaying in Bali.
Kaylin Phillips, from the US state of Virginia, was oblivious to the fact she was holding the deadly blue-ringed octopus and posted a video of the moment to her TikTok this week after discovering just how dangerous it was.
"Called my dad crying," she wrote on TikTok.
"I actually held two of them in the same day. I tried to feed them oranges and played with them for a solid 20 minutes."
The video shows Ms Phillips holding the small sea creature in her hand while a friend splashes water on it as the octopus moves around her palm.
Not-for-profit environment advocacy group Ocean Conservancy says the blue-ringed octopus is one of the most venomous and dangerous creatures in the ocean.
"It's venom is 1000 times more powerful than cyanide, and this golf-ball sized powerhouse packs enough venom to kill 26 humans within minutes," the group says on its website.
"It's no surprise that it's recognised as one of the most dangerous animals in the ocean."
Ocean Conservancy says the venom of a blue-ringed octopus blocks nerve signals, causing muscles to go numb.
The venom can also cause vision loss, muscles paralysis, nausea and can lead to respiratory arrest.
Tourist slammed for holding creature
People on TikTok have criticised Ms Phillips for picking up the dangerous creature.
"Maybe don't pick up, touch, or hold wildlife? Let it be and appreciate its beauty," one said.
"How does that even look safe to hold?" another said.
"Who would touch any coloured sea animal with their bare hands?" a third added.
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Another who grew up in Australia said simply watching the video and knowing the dangers made their heart race.
The tourist's TikTok video comes just three weeks after a woman issued a warning when she found a blue-ringed octopus on a Sydney beach.
A Chinese tourist also attracted attention in January 2019 after they were filmed holding a blue-ringed octopus with their bare hands seemingly unaware of the danger.
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