Researchers stationed in Texas have reported some intriguing animal behaviors observed at the Fort Worth Zoo during totality. One of the most peculiar observations was the behavior of giraffes at other facilities during the 2017 total solar eclipse, where they gathered in a herd and began galloping. While the giraffes at the Fort Worth Zoo did not gallop this year, they did exhibit unusual behavior by huddling together and attempting to enter their nighttime enclosures.
Other mammals and reptiles also displayed interesting reactions to the eclipse. A crocodile was observed getting ready for bed as the sky darkened, while tortoises broke the door to their evening enclosure in an attempt to go inside for the night. Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose, a professor of biological sciences at North Carolina State University, noted that the primates at the Fort Worth Zoo had the most dramatic reaction. At totality, all the gorillas got up from various parts of the exhibit and walked directly to their nighttime enclosure.
Conversely, nocturnal animals seemed to wake up for the start of their day during the eclipse. Three species of owls and a ringtail were among those observed becoming active as the sky darkened. Dr. Hartstone-Rose mentioned that some animals appeared confused, possibly wondering why they were still outside and why they hadn't been let in. However, this confusion subsided quickly as the eclipse progressed.
