Insider Blog: Animals may react to the upcoming eclipse

While millions of people will look to the skies for Monday's total eclipse the animals around us aren't tuned in to the news, though they might still have some reactions. The sudden onset of darkness in the middle of the day can throw off the natural rhythm and sleeping patterns of wildlife and cause some interesting behavior.

You may notice during the darkest minutes of the eclipse that bugs could get louder (though colder temperatures recently may have kept bug populations down) or birds may begin to flock back to the nest. Larger animals and pets may express signs of anxiety, but this may not be entirely due to the eclipse itself.

Our behavior during the eclipse could also play a role in how animals respond. When people are acting more excited and agitated animals can pick up on this and may believe danger is nearby. Just try not to rile up your furry friends during the excitement of the eclipse and they likely won't notice it at all.

You can also be involved in research on how animal sounds change during an eclipse - NASA is conducting a citizen project as part of the Eclipse Soundscapes Project. It requires online training and equipment for proper recording so get started today!