Two backpackers have been described as "thicker than concrete" after 'playing' with one of the world's deadliest creatures that could have killed them almost instantly.
The British and Irish duo unknowingly risked their lives when they filmed themselves flinging the deadly sea creature about after accidentally catching it on a fishing trip.
Just five inches in size, the blue ring octopus packs a deadly punch, containing enough venom to kill 26 people in a matter of minutes.
Unimpressed viewers online commented on the pair's Facebook video showing them dicing with death saying: "I've poured concrete that is less thick than you."
Another said: "Wow this guy could have died so easily."
The men, who clearly thought they stunt was hilarious, filmed themselves dangling the live animal then resting it on their bare arms while laughing and joking.
One of the men joked how fishing in Australia is "different" in a Facebook post, and said they hadn't clocked the species they'd caught was so venomous.
He said: "Been an interesting two day introduction to fishing...caught a blue-ringed octopus, one of the most dangerous animals in the world and didn’t even realise."
Commenting, someone said: "Enough venom to kill 26 people in minutes, a painless bite until breathing problems set in later."
"Can’t believe he put that on his arm. If it bites you, it paralysis you and you stop breathing within minutes," another added.
Others added they were amazed the pair hadn't been killed, called them "dumb" and "lucky" to be alive.
Confirming the men could have been dead within minutes, the Australian Museum said that due to the small size of the animal's "injecting apparatus" the men may not have felt a bite.
"However within minutes symptoms include numbness of the lips and tongue, difficulty in breathing, followed by complete paralysis of the breathing muscles," its website reads.
"Victims appear to lose consciousness as they cannot respond to their name being called."
In January, an unwitting tourist had a close call with a blue ring octopus in a video uploaded to Redditt.
