A solar eclipse happens when the sun, moon, and earth align. In a partial solar eclipse the moon blocks the sun’s light, casting a shadow on the earth. In a total solar eclipse the moon fully obscures the sun.
The path was a curved arc starting from the south west, passing through Piedras Negras, Killeen, and Dallas, moving north east through Bloomington, Cleveland, and Buffalo.
I was observing a 4 year old male reticulated giraffe named Apollo, in a group of five other female giraffes.
Baseline Observations
Predictions:
My prediction is that the giraffes will notice the light, temperature, and atmospheric change in pressure and will start galloping around their enclosure, like they did in the 2017 study.
Eclipse Observations
(Photos before the eclipse)
(Video taken after the eclipse)
Conclusion:
I watched the giraffes pacing outside of their gate before totality, during totality they stayed in a group next to the gate, motionless, after totality they paced again until returning to their normal behavior. I think this was their evening behavior, waiting for the gate to open to go to sleep. I think my prediction was wrong because the humans around the enclosure were calm and not celebrating loudly, unlike during the 2017 study.