It's not every day you find an octopus in the parking garage. At least not yet. Richard Conlin spotted this creature in Miami Beach when last week's king tide brought sea water into his parking garage. Biology professor Kathleen Sullivan Sealey says as the water level rises, we will probably see more and more of this kind of thing.
When the drainage pipes in these buildings were designed, they were safely above the high-water marks, she said, but rising seas mean the pipes are now partially submerged during extreme high tides. And with water comes sea life, starting with fish. A drainage pipe combines two of an octopus’ favorite things, Sealey said — a meal and a cramped, dark space to crawl into. The ocean dweller was likely curled up inside the drain when the king tide forced it out and onto the garage floor, she said.
Tidal flooding in Miami Beach is much more common than it was just a few years ago. The sea level is expected to rise at least three feet by the year 2100. -via Fark
(Image credit: Richard Conlin)