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A video showing an octopus lashing out at a man on a beach last month in Western Australia has gone viral.

Geologist and author Lance Karlson was about go for a swim near the resort where he and his family were staying on March 19 when he spotted what he believed was stingray's tail striking a seagull, according to Reuters. Upon further inspection, Karlson and his 2-year-old daughter discovered it was an octopus.

He took a video of the creature swimming near him in shallow water before it suddenly launched its arms at him. Then, after setting up his family in a sun protection tent, he put on some goggles and went into the water alone to explore crab shells. Once he was swimming, the octopus found him again and used its arms to lunge at Karlson, who felt a forceful sting across his neck and back.