During a total solar eclipse last week, researchers at a Canadian zoo in Quebec took advantage of the rare event to study the behaviors of various animals. The Granby Zoo in Quebec’s Estrie region had some of the best views of the eclipse, and observers logged the activities of the animals two days before the event, during the eclipse, and two days after. The zoo collaborated with an astrophysics professor to collect data on how different species reacted to the phenomenon. The study aimed to understand how luminosity in the presence of the sun can influence animals, with the findings expected to offer insights applicable to wildlife species.
The reactions of the animals to the solar eclipse varied, with some displaying unexpected behaviors. For example, Japanese macaques, a species of monkeys native to Japan, remained calm and Zen during the eclipse, contrary to the researchers’ expectations of them being agitated and wanting to retreat to nighttime habitats. Red-crowned cranes, typically vocal birds, also went quiet during the eclipse’s totality. Additionally, the male red panda, which usually walks around its enclosure, climbed a tree and slept with the female during the eclipse, which was unusual behavior. Surprisingly, the Himalayan black bears at the zoo continued to sleep throughout the eclipse, seemingly unaffected by the phenomenon.
The researchers also observed Tahrs, ungulates related to goats and sheep, exhibiting a drastic change in behavior during the eclipse. While these animals typically rest calmly in the afternoons, all of them stood up and walked around during the eclipse. The study collected data on a wide range of species, including those that are typically active during the day and those that are more nocturnal. One interesting observation was that prey species showed a stronger reaction to the eclipse compared to predator species. These findings highlight the importance of studying animal behaviors during rare events like solar eclipses to better understand how they are influenced by changes in their environment.
Granby Zoo’s involvement in the study provided a unique opportunity to gather data on animal reactions during a total solar eclipse. The zoo’s conservation coordinator, Chelsey Paquette, emphasized the significance of collecting data during a rare event like a solar eclipse, as it can offer valuable insights into how luminosity affects animals. The researchers hope to publish their findings from the study to contribute to the understanding of animal behavior during rare celestial events. By studying how different species react to changes in luminosity and the presence of the sun, researchers can extrapolate the conclusions to wildlife species in natural habitats.
Overall, the study conducted at Granby Zoo during the total solar eclipse revealed various interesting findings about animal behaviors during the rare celestial event. While some species remained calm and quiet, others displayed unexpected behaviors, providing valuable insights into how animals are influenced by changes in their environment. The observations made by the researchers shed light on the diverse reactions of different animal species to the eclipse, highlighting the importance of studying animal behaviors during such rare events to enhance our understanding of their responses to environmental changes. The data collected during the study will contribute to ongoing research on animal behavior and the impact of celestial events on wildlife.
