Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to observe animals during eclipse

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will be observing animal behavior during the solar eclipse Monday, officials said.

The eclipse, the first coast-to-coast eclipse in the U.S. in 99 years, begins at 1:16 p.m. and reaches totality at 2:47 p.m.

Animal behavioral analyst Valerie Segura said her team will be taking notes and collecting data because right now, there is a lack of information on animals and eclipse behavior.

“We actually don’t have a concrete hypothesis that our animals are going to feel uneasy or anxious or anything like that," said Segura. "We are genuinely interested in whether or not they are going to change their behavior."

Segura offered this suggestion if you’re worried about your pet’s reaction to the eclipse.

“If I had to give one piece of blanket advice which I don’t normally do, I would say approach this the same way a nasty storm…ways that you would normally comfort your pet,” Segura said.

The zoo has a discount going on. If you buy one regularly priced general admission ticket, you get one for $5. It's called the Cat Days of Summer and must be mentioned at the gates.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will not have eclipse glasses and encourages you to bring your own. If you observe interesting behavior from the animals Segura asks that you post pictures under the hashtag #EclipseJZG

Cox Media Group