In 2017, biologist Adam Hartstone-Rose observed unexpected animal behaviors during a total solar eclipse at a South Carolina zoo. Initially skeptical, he witnessed baboons huddling, flamingos circling, and giraffes galloping, among other unusual actions. Some animals behaved as if it were twilight, while others seemed unaffected. Hartstone-Rose speculated that human reactions to the eclipse might have influenced the animals’ behavior. A later study in 2024, conducted without visitors, noted some animals still reacted to the eclipse, suggesting that both environmental changes and human presence could impact animal behavior. This research highlights the complex interactions between animals, their environment, and human activity during such celestial events.
QUESTION: How might understanding animal behavior during eclipses help us better care for animals in zoos and other environments?
Do animals act weirdly during a solar eclipse? Or do we?
