Eclipses are fascinating astronomical phenomena, in part because of the behavior of animals during a solar eclipse.
Understanding the Event
A total solar eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, occurs in the same location only about once every 375 years. This rarity means that animals encounter the phenomenon only once in many generations, rendering each occurrence an unusual and potentially disruptive event for them.
Categories of Behavioral Responses of Animals During a Solar Eclipse
Based on numerous observations, animal reactions to solar eclipses can be broadly classified into four categories:
- Evening Behaviors: Animals adopt routines typically seen at dusk or nighttime.
- Apparent Anxiety: Behaviors indicating stress or fear in response to the sudden darkness.
- Novel Responses: Uncharacteristic behaviors not seen during normal or evening routines.
- No Observable Change: Some animals appear unaffected and continue their regular activities.
Observations from the Riverbanks Zoo
In a comprehensive study at Riverbanks Zoo, 17 different species, spanning mammals, birds, and reptiles, were observed during the 2017 solar eclipse. The findings were as follows:
- A significant majority of animals, about 75%, showed behavioral changes in response to the eclipse.
- Most of these animals (8 out of 13 that showed changes) began engaging in evening or nighttime routines. This aligns with historical observations where animals mistook the temporary darkness of an eclipse for the onset of night. Such behaviors include returning to nests, starting evening vocalizations, or becoming more active, especially for crepuscular or nocturnal species.
- Anxiety was the next common response. For instance, baboons, gorillas, giraffes, flamingos, and lorikeets showed signs of stress.
- Only reptiles, specifically the Galapagos tortoise and the Komodo dragon, displayed novel behaviors. These were marked by a surge in activities compared to their usually sedentary state.
Historical Accounts and Varied Responses of Animals to a Solar Eclipse
Historical records, though sporadic, offer intriguing glimpses into animal behavior during eclipses:
- The 1932 New England eclipse saw diverse species, from insects to large mammals, exhibiting nighttime behaviors.
- In contrast, some animals show signs of anxiety. For instance, during various eclipses, domestic dogs remained silent, horses exhibited restless behaviors, and several bird species stopped flying, staying quiet.
- Primates have exhibited unique reactions. Rhesus macaques in India fragmented into smaller groups to sleep during an eclipse, while captive chimpanzees in Georgia during the 1984 eclipse climbed high structures, seemingly observing the sky during the entirety of the event.
- However, not all animals respond noticeably. Some reports from eclipses in India and Zimbabwe observed several species, from rodents to lions, showing no perceptible change in behavior during the event.
A Spectrum of Reactions
The behavioral responses of animals during solar eclipses indeed span a spectrum, from pronounced to subtle or even non-existent.
The varied reactions underline the complexity of understanding animal behaviors in the face of rare environmental changes. While some patterns emerge, such as the onset of evening routines, many responses remain unpredictable.
Source: “Total Eclipse of the Zoo: Animal Behavior during a Total Solar Eclipse” — Animals (journal)
