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Bedtime or go time? Observing what animals do during a total solar eclipse

April 1, 2024
The red panda will be one of the animals studied by CFAES students at the Columbus Zoo. (Getty Images photo)

By: Emily Caldwell / Ohio State News

When darkness falls on central Ohio during the total solar eclipse on April 8, will animals think it’s time to go to bed? Will they be anxious? Will they care?

Scientists from The Ohio State University and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are taking advantage of the rare celestial event to find out.

“It’s a unique opportunity to understand how so many different animals respond to a weird thing,” said Courtney Anderson, a PhD student in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) who is spearheading the effort for Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Her counterpart at the zoo is Adam Felts, director of animal well-being. Learn more about this unique opportunity >>