What to expect from your pets with the Solar Eclipse?

Well...That's a good question.  I started out thinking this would be a great, easy blog to write, and
like most things that you thought were going to be easy, it turned out not to be.

There are many different view points and very little actual studies done since Total Solar Eclipses are so rare.  In fact the last one in the United States was in 1991 and only visible in Hawaii, where it was cloudy, before that it was 1990 in the  Aleutians, where it rained and wasn't visible, prior to that is was 1979 in WA, OR, ID, MT, and ND (the only states to see totality, in the mid-morning.)  It was dreary and unfortunately many people did not see the eclipse due to rain according to eclipse2017.org

Then you have scientist saying they think animals will think it's night and start getting ready to bed down, others saying pets won't know the difference and everything in between.  While it definitely is a possibility that your pets may start acting different, it seems more like no one really knows.

One thing people seem to agree on is that their eyes can burn just like humans can, so, in my opinion, if your going to try to catch a glimpse (with your protective glasses on, of course) your may be better off just to leave them inside.

There is an app (of course there is) that you can install and use to help provide The California Academy of Sciences information used for  research during the eclipse, use can go to their webpage to learn more www.calacademy.org/citizen-science/solar-eclipse-2017

Before the eclipse:

1. Download the iNaturalist app on the App Store or Google Play and make an account.
2. Practice making observations. Check out the Getting Started Guide for helpful tips.
3. Join the Life Responds project on iNaturalist.
4. Decide where you will be viewing the eclipse and know when the eclipse will be at maximum at your location. Use this map to help determine that time.

Day of the eclipse (Aug 21):

1. Once you arrive at your site, scout your area for animals and plants. Choose the individual organism(s) you want to observe.
2. During the eclipse, make 3 separate observations for each individual organism using the iNaturalist app, adding each of them to the "Life Responds" project:
• 1st: 30 minutes before totality (or maximum coverage) make an observation in iNaturalist. Add anything interesting you notice about their behavior in the "Notes" section.
• 2nd: During the 5 minutes of totality (or maximum coverage) make a second observation in iNaturalist. Add anything interesting you notice about their behavior in the "Notes" section.
• 3rd: 30 minutes after totality (or maximum coverage) make a third and final observation in iNaturalist. Add anything interesting you notice about their behavior in the "Notes" section.
• You're welcome to make other observations of your organism(s) beyond these three - just be sure to choose the time frame in which you made these other observations in "Before, During, or After Totality" field.

So like I said, I thought this would be an easy Blog to write, but...  So hopefully with people being able to provide information to The California Academy of Sciences we'll be better able to be prepared and know more for the next time we have a total solar eclipse across the United States, which just so you know is in April 2024.