Recently, the YouTube channel "Hiroshi Hirasaka (平坂寛)" has garnered significant attention due to a daring experiment involving the venomous spines of deep-sea fish. The video has amassed over 370,000 views, with many viewers expressing admiration and concern for his bravery in the comments section.
Hiroshi Hirasaka is an active global biological writer who focuses on uncovering fascinating stories from the animal kingdom. The filming location for this episode was Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, where he aimed to reveal the true nature of a deep-sea giant fish that escaped three years ago.
At a depth of approximately 650 to 700 meters, Mr. Hirasaka successfully captured a "Deepwater Stingray", a giant stingray measuring 149 cm wide and 238 cm long. He further tested the toxicity and pain of the stingray's venomous spine by inserting it into his left arm, immediately feeling intense pain. According to Hirasaka, the pain level was comparable to that of another species known for its venomous spines, the Red stingray.
He cautioned viewers that deep-sea fish often have toxic mucus on their skin, necessitating extra care when handling such creatures. Five hours after being stung, Hirasaka's wound continued to bleed and showed difficulty in healing, accompanied by dull pain and numbness. Four days later, bruising began to appear, and his left arm remained noticeably uncomfortable. These symptoms indicated that the venom's effects were still active.
The release of this video sparked awe and praise in the comments section, with some viewers stating, "This courage is admirable", while others humorously remarked, "Every time I see a video, I'm just glad Hirasaka is still alive". Viewers also reminded him to take care and sent their best wishes.
Hirasaka's channel has since released follow-up videos sharing the cooking process of Dasyatis pastinaca and continues to provide animal knowledge on social media platforms. His new book "My Unstoppable Love for Insects" was published in September 2023, offering more exciting content for readers passionate about the biological world.
