Solar Eclipse 2017: How it may affect animals

By Breaking News Staff

If raccoons could talk: ‘Well, thanks, I think you’re cute, too’ Priscilla Mutter took this photo of a raccoon in Clayton on July 4. Her description says, “Young raccoon.” We’ll take Priscilla’s word for it that the animal is indeed young. And because it was July Fouth, we’ll also give the critter credit for being patriotic.

By Breaking News Staff

In three weeks most of us will stretch our necks up high to watch a planetary show in the skies, the Great American Solar Eclipse. A full eclipse of this magnitude hasn't happened in over a century.

It will be visible in Ohio and across a large part of the United States. While some have been preparing for weeks for August 21 to watch an eclipse of this size, animals have not.

Solar Eclipse 2017: What time and how to see it

Director of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center, Mark Kumpf, spoke with News Center 7's Eric Elwell about the difference in behavior you might see in animals during the eclipse.

"Strangely enough, animals seem to be affected by the changes in the patterns of weather, seasons and things of that sort. And the eclipse is sort of an anomaly,” Kumpf said.

He added spiders have been studied to act as if it's nighttime and start taking apart webs or putting them back together.

This may not just affect insects, but other animals as well.

"Such as birds will go to roost, we'll see some of that activity," Kumpf said. "And you know, the impact on pets, dogs and cats, it's going to be a disruption on their cycle."

It might not be a bad idea to keep an eye on your pets as giving them "artificial night" can affect their behavior.

"Again we're not telling folks be sure you bring your pets inside," Kumpf said. "However it might not be a bad idea, because they can become disoriented."

RELATED: How to watch the Great American Eclipse safely

Locals had mixed reactions on how concerned they were for their pets.

"You know I've never noticed," said Nick Cain. "I've never, never noticed. But I'm going to pay more attention now."

Jennifer Kearby said her dog is “pretty good” with planes and storms.

"So, we're not preparing much,” Kearby said.

Local zoos aren't preparing much either stating that since the eclipse is expected to be only partial here in Ohio, they do not expect a huge impact on their animals.

Either way while there is a show in the sky, we may see some strange activity in our wildlife and pets.

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