"The natural" response to an eclipse.

WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY 

It seems that how to watch the eclipse has been the main topic of discussion on social media for the last week or two.  Everyone is talking about trying to find some glasses or about where they are going to watch it, or even that schools are closing for the eclipse.  If they are not talking about those topics, it is complaints about glasses that look like left over 3d movie glasses from the local theater, griping about why school is closing, or being upset over not being able to book a room at their desired location.

With all the eclipse talk, good and bad, I decided to shed a bit of light on the way wildlife respond to an eclipse (HA HA).  People have been studying what happens during an eclipse for centuries.  You would think we would have it all figured out by now, but there are several things that are still a bit of mystery. This eclipse may very well be the most documented one in human history.  Cell phone cameras and internet in the palm of your hand was not even in the realm of dreams the last time a total eclipse was visible across the whole country.  This year technological advancements will be used in unprecedented ways to document and gather data about the eclipse.  I recall that during the last total eclipse in our area, 1979 I think,  my eclipse technology consisted of a shoe box with some strategically placed holes and a mirror or two.

You would think that there would be a large amount of data and research that had been done to document how it effects wildlife.  Oddly, that is not the case.  Since it is impossible to replicate and the natural occurrence is somewhat rare, the science of animal behavior during an eclipse is sparse.  There is very little outside of folklore and anecdotal evidence.  We have heard that birds will quiet down during eclipses  while crickets, frogs and mosquitos start there regular evening routine.  Very little rigorous research on animal behavior during eclipses exists. You can help change this!

You can become a "naturalist for a day".

The California Academy of Sciences is asking citizen scientists to record observations of animal behavior as part of their Life Respondsproject using their free iNaturalist app. Basically, they are looking to collect behavioral observations of animals (and plants) from the largest geographic area ever covered by observers during any solar eclipse so far.


http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/life-responds-total-solar-eclipse-2017/





How does life respond to the dramatic event of a total solar eclipse?


There is some evidence that plant and animal life react to the environmental changes that occur during a total solar eclipse. As the sky darkens and the temperature drops, birds reportedly stop singing, spiders may tear down their webs, and gray squirrels retreat to their dens, among other observed behaviors. Much of these reports, however, are anecdotal or documented with captive animals.


On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross the continental United States, from coast to coast. The Academy invites citizen scientists like you to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record eclipse-related animal behavior.






I have my plans for what wildlife I want to observe. I am going to record video and photograph my subject, and submit my data. I think the Life Responds project is a great way for the average citizen scientist to participate in the greatest eclipse research that has ever taken place. Being a part of the process is a fun way to get involved with eclipse rather than being just an observer.


I'm in! What about you?






Which animal will you choose?