Author: Kirsten Jelinek Australia "Daily Mail"

Published: January 6, 2021 at 18:26 EST | Updated: January 6, 2021 at 21:04 EST

After a beach visitor found a deadly blue-ringed octopus in a shell collected by his child, he issued a desperate warning to his parents. 

On Monday, after a man found a blue-ringed octopus on Yarra Bay Beach in New South Wales, Randwick City Council shared a picture of the blue-ringed octopus on Facebook. 

Randwick resident Andrew reminded parents to be vigilant after taking their children to the beach to swim. 

Randwick City Council reminds beach visitors to be vigilant because a local family found a blue-ringed octopus after hiding a child’s shell 

After his children picked up a few shells from the shoreline, the father noticed a strange sight on the family’s towels.  

He said: "Our 11-year-old son put a few shells on the beach towel my wife was sitting on. After a while, this little guy and another guy ran over from the towel."  

A deadly blue-ringed octopus emerged from the shell, terrifying a family.   

"Interestingly, we recently discussed with the children how to find blue-ringed octopuses in the area, and they are very deadly, but we never really expected to see one," he said. 

The octopus was eventually released back into the sea, away from other beach tourists. 

Despite the shocking findings, Andrew said that no children or octopuses were harmed.   

'When they swim, their (blue-ringed octopus) ring glows so blue. This is incredible," he said. 

Local residents quickly commented on this photo. 

A family found a blue-ringed octopus while swimming in Yarra Beach, New South Wales (pictured)

On Monday afternoon, the local Randwick family spotted a blue-ringed octopus (pictured) scurrying on their beach towels 

Blue-ringed octopus bites are highly toxic to humans and emergency services should be called immediately (Photo: Blue-ringed octopus stock photos) 

 "I found a blue-ringed octopus last week. One person said that everyone should be vigilant. 

"Thank you for your reminders and good reminders," another added. 

Other residents advise to avoid picking up shells when going to local beaches. 

One person said: "It's scary to pick up shells in the water, and it may not be a good idea." 

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