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WATCH: Animals Have Odd Reaction to Eclipse

While many were excited about the solar eclipse on Monday, the animals around us weren’t as thrilled.

Many would say they were confused or scared.

Was it night time already?

‘It’s not supposed to be bedtime now, is it?’

And there were those at zoos during the eclipse to capture their curious reactions.

Some decided to call it a day (weren’t they surprised 4 minutes later), others started running about.

CBS reports:

Scientists and zookeepers watched Monday as giraffes, gorillas, lions, macaws and flamingoes exhibited unusual behavior during the total solar eclipse.

Because total eclipses happen so infrequently, researchers don’t know much about how they impact animals. They studied animals on Monday at several zoos situated along the eclipse path of totality, such as the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas. Animals were largely calm at the Fort Worth Zoo, though some, including the gorillas, lions and lemurs, showed increased signs of vigilance and curiosity.

“Most importantly, we did not observe any signs of increased anxiety or nervous behaviors,” a Fort Worth Zoo spokesperson said. “And by the time totality had passed, things went back to normal, almost immediately!”

Several animals at the Fort Worth Zoo made their way toward their barn doors, which is where they go at night, as the skies darkened during the eclipse, the zoo spokesperson said. The Aldabra tortoises, giraffes, elephants, kudu, bonobos, coatis and gorillas all headed toward their barns.

Zoos were also able to observe some unique daytime behavior from nocturnal animals. At the Fort Worth Zoo, a ringtail cat and two owl species showed increased activity during the day.

Also in Texas, zookeepers at the Dallas Zoo saw giraffes and zebras run around during the eclipse. Chimpanzees patrolled the outer edge of their habitat at the zoo while all but one of a bachelor group of gorillas went to the door they use to go in at night.

An ostrich at the Dallas Zoo laid an egg during the eclipse. Other birds got louder before totality, then went silent. Flamingos and penguins huddled together.

Birds also showed unique behavior at the Indianapolis Zoo, a zoo spokesperson said. Macaws, budgies and other birds got quiet and roosted up high, which is nighttime behavior.

“You can hear they’re totally silent now – not a peep, and no movement,” Indianapolis Zoo President and CEO Dr. Robert Shumake said in a video recorded during totality.

Flamingos at the zoo huddled together and also got quiet. Cheetahs and a warthog displayed behavior normally seen during the evening. The cheetahs paced at the highest point of their grassy yard during the eclipse while a warthog waited at its back gate.

Here’s National Geographic Babak Tafreshi’s photo of bats reacting to the eclipse.

Reminds me of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

This next clip was taken back during the 2017 eclipse.

Birds everywhere, walking around. Are they lost or confused?

One animal wasn’t caught off guard, though.

Despite all the excitement, the cats were still unamused.

Here’s a sped up video capturing the brief moment:


 

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