Tourist reveals little known risk on Aussie beaches

Rock pools are full of incredible marine life but they can be incredibly dangerous. 

Everyone knows there’s plenty to be afraid of when it comes to Australian wildlife.

But, shouldn’t you be safe when it comes to taking a peek in a rock pool?

One woman, who has recently moved to Australia from Canada, has just found out that this isn’t the case, and it proves that the stereotypes that just about anything here can kill you aren’t too far off.

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Cone snails are incredibly dangerous.

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“The way I could have ended my life”

TikTok creator Olivia Warden has taken to the app after followers of hers called her out on something she did at a beach at WA, which, unbeknownst to her, could have been extremely dangerous.

“The way I could have ended my life a couple of days ago when I was picking shells up in Western Australia, not knowing what a cone shell is until now,” she said in the video.

“People flooded my comments being like ‘Do not pick up the shells in Western Australia’, ‘Leave the shells alone, don’t touch them’, and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’.”

Cone snails are highly venomous sea snails that can be found primarily in Western Australia and Queensland. Whilst they may look pretty, it’s no surprise that it’s advised not to touch them.

“When I google it, it says the venom that comes from a cone snail is a mixture of peptides and paralyses its prey. Paralyses me?” she said.

“It causes pain, swelling, numbness, weakness of muscles which stops you from breathing, vision and speech and hearing disturbance, respiratory failure, and death if untreated.”

Now that Olivia knows about the animal, she sent a message to the rest of her followers who may also have been unaware.

“My biggest fear when I’m in the sea over here is that a shark is gonna come. Now, it’s when a snail is gonna come,” she said.

@oliviawarden3

Let me add cone snails to things that can hurt me in Australia #aussiethings #australialife #perthaustralia #australiabucketlist #perththingstodo #australiatiktok #tropicalaesthetic #beachgirl #islandgirl #australiacheck

♬ for the girlies - Mercedes ;)

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Eeeeeverything is dangerous

Many commenters on the post said that they also had no idea how dangerous cone snails could be.

“Don't worry bb I'm born and raised here and I grabbed a whole cone snail shell and turned it round to look inside before I realised what it was,” said one person.

“Wait what, I’m Australia, grown up in Western Australia and this is the first time I’m hearing about this,” a second commenter said.

But, others were well aware, and warned Olivia about the range of other sea animals here that are just as dangerous.

“Blue-ringed octopus, stonefish, saltwater crocs, stingrays, bluebottles, box jellyfish, Irukandji jellyfish are the main things to avoid,” one commenter said.

“Blue ring octopus, all the types of jellyfish, stone fish, what can happen if you cut yourself on reef/coral. the most deadly and main thing is rips and the water,” said another.

“Rule of thumb; if it’s really pretty it’s more than likely venomous,” said a third.

What can I do?

If you happen to come across a cone snail out and about, Sarah Hunstead from CPR Kids has a few pieces of advice for what you need to do to stay safe, especially with little ones.

“Cone snails look fascinating, but they are highly venomous,” she told Kidspot.

“Like funnel-web spiders, snakes, and blue-ringed octopuses, cone snails require urgent first aid, including using the pressure immobilisation technique (PIT). The Australian Resuscitation Council and the Australian Venom Research Unit recommend applying a firm bandage and keeping the affected limb still while seeking urgent medical help - call 000.

“Rock pools are full of incredible marine life, but it’s important for kids to look, not touch—some creatures can be harmful, and the safest way to explore is with eyes rather than hands!”

Originally published as Tourist reveals little known risk on Aussie beaches