The Twilight Illusion: How Animals React to a Total Solar Eclipse
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- 3 hours ago
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As the Moon slides over the Sun and the sky plunges into an eerie, midday twilight, humans look up in awe. But what happens to the animals? Without the context of astronomy, a total solar eclipse is a sudden, inexplicable disruption of the natural order. For centuries, observers have noted strange animal behaviors during eclipses, and modern science is finally beginning to document and understand exactly how wildlife reacts to the disappearing Sun.
The Rush to Bedtime
The most common reaction among animals during an eclipse is confusion over the time of day. As the light dims and the temperature drops, many diurnal (daytime) animals assume that night is falling rapidly.
Studies conducted at zoos, such as a comprehensive observation during the 2017 eclipse at the Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina, found that approximately 75% of observed species exhibited a behavioral response . The majority of these animals began their established evening routines. Birds are particularly sensitive to this; diurnal birds like egrets and herons have been observed abandoning their daytime foraging to fly back to their evening roosts . Farm animals like sheep and cattle may head toward their barns, and bees have been seen rushing back to their hives.
The Night Shift Wakes Up
Conversely, as daytime animals settle down, nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) animals often begin to stir. Crickets and frogs may start chirping, assuming evening has arrived. Owls have been heard hooting during totality. However, this period of darkness is brief. When the Sun emerges a few minutes later, it essentially triggers a "second morning," causing a chaotic reset as nocturnal animals retreat and diurnal animals wake up all over again.
Anxiety and Unusual Behaviors of Animals during Eclipse
Not all animals simply go to sleep. The sudden environmental change can cause significant stress. During the 2017 zoo study, the second most common reaction after evening routines was apparent anxiety .
Primates: Baboons and gorillas were observed pacing or clustering together . In a famous 1984 observation, a group of captive chimpanzees climbed to the highest point in their enclosure and turned their faces toward the darkened sky.
Birds: Flamingos and lorikeets exhibited signs of distress .
Giraffes: Giraffes have been seen galloping frantically during totality, a behavior usually reserved for fleeing predators .
Interestingly, the Riverbanks Zoo study noted that the only animals to exhibit entirely "novel" behaviors—sudden bursts of activity from normally sedentary creatures—were reptiles, specifically the Galapagos tortoise and the Komodo dragon.
While we know an eclipse is a harmless celestial dance, for the animal kingdom, it is a profound disruption. Watching nature react to the disappearing Sun is a powerful reminder of how deeply life on Earth is tied to the rhythms of daylight.
Always observe the Sun with certified solar glasses! Protect your eyes. You have just a pair for your whole life!
Don't get glasses for your dog or cat. while animals do experience the eclipse, they do not observe it. Making them do, can actually harm their eyes significantly and cause them a lot of stress.
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