How New York Animals May Act During the Total Eclipse

On April 8th, the moon will travel in between the sun and the earth, creating a total solar eclipse in many parts of the country, including upstate New York. But how will our local animals respond to total darkness in the middle of the afternoon?

While eclipses occur relatively frequently across the globe (the last total eclipse was in 2021 in Antarctica), there hasn't been a total solar eclipse in New York for nearly 100 years. While plenty of humans are looking forward to the epic event, our wildlife will be in for the surprise of a lifetime.

How Animals Are Affected By a Solar Eclipse

While the totality of the solar eclipse will only last for several minutes, that short timespan will likely confuse many local animals who depend on the sun for cues throughout their day. Anecdotally, the 2017 solar eclipse caused birds to stop chirping in Columbia, South Carolina (as well as in Hawaii in 1991) during the unexpected darkness. Other animals could be affected as well.

How Zoo Animals Act During a Solar Eclipse

A recent study of zoo animals proved that animal behavior can alter during an eclipse. Researchers observed animals like cockatoos, lorikeets, and even gorillas and elephants acting differently during a solar eclipse, exhibiting behavior like increased activity in nocturnal animals, and day-active animals moving to their sleep areas. Based on these observations, educated guesses can be made for some of New York state's wild creatures as well.

Will New York Animals Act Differently During the Solar Eclipse?

New York residents may experience birds getting quieter, as well as nocturnal animals like bats possibly increasing their activity during the solar eclipse. The experiment in the zoo also observed several animals acting with possible increased anxiety, so keeping an eye on household pets like cats or dogs can also be helpful.

Get our free mobile app

Other eclipse-watchers across the globe have noticed abnormal animal behaviors as well. From giraffes to frogs, it seems like there are few creatures that are immune to the unique solar experience. Check out some of the best places to watch the eclipse in New York below.