Philadelphia Zoo visitors had a unique experience on Monday as they observed both the animals and the sky during the rare celestial event. Families were extra excited and friendly, sharing in the excitement of the occasion.
Francesca Carendi was determined to share the experience with her family, having fond memories of how the animals reacted during the 2017 eclipse. This time, she came prepared with solar glasses to watch the animals. The Philadelphia Zoo is part of a citizen science project called the Solar Eclipse Safari, where visitors observe animal behavior before, during, and after the eclipse as part of a study facilitated by SciStarter.
Data on animal behavior during eclipses is limited due to their rarity. Visitors collected information using their phones and will contribute to an analysis once all data is collected. While many people were excited about the eclipse, most of the animals at the zoo seemed unaffected by it. Zookeepers observed them closely to ensure their safety during totality but ultimately, for them it was like just another cloud passing overhead.
