The moon, Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor, has long fascinated humans and inspired myths and legends about its effects on life. While many of these stories are probably embellished, scientific studies have revealed fascinating ways the moon cycle affects animal behavior. From reproduction to hunting patterns, the moon’s light and gravitational pull influence the lives of countless species. Here are 13 astonishing examples of the ways that animals react to the moon’s phases.
1. Badgers and Mating Habits
European badgers exhibit fascinating behavior during the lunar cycle. They raise their legs more often when marking territory during the new moon, a time when darkness ushers in safety from predators. That phase also coincides with heightened mating activity, as badger pairs can often take up to 90 minutes to mate, making them vulnerable to attacks. The reduced light during the new moon provides an evolutionary advantage for these nocturnal mammals.
2. Coral Spawning Spectacle
Corals along Australia’s coast synchronize their mass spawning events with the full moon each December. Millions of coral species release eggs and sperm at the same time to boost the chances of fertilization. Moonlight is a major environmental trigger for this process, resulting in a stunning underwater light show that can be seen from shore.
3. Pets and Full Moon Injuries
Cats and dogs seem more prone to injuries during full moons. Researchers have documented that during this period, visits to emergency rooms by cats increased by 23% and dogs by 28%. Though the precise cause is unclear, brighter nights seem to encourage pets to be out for longer, putting them at greater risk of accidents or altercations.
4. Doodlebugs’ Larger Traps
Doodlebugs, or antlion larvae, make bigger sand traps when it’s full moon. This extra effort is likely warranted by the increased activity of their prey under bright moonlight. Interestingly, this behavior persists in controlled laboratory settings, suggesting deeper lunar influences beyond just visibility.
5. Lions Shift Hunting Patterns
Lions adapt their hunting strategies based on the moon’s phases. Prey animals are more vigilant during bright full moons, prompting lions to hunt less at night and more during daylight hours. Studies show another reason lions are more apt to attack humans in the days after a full moon is due to darker evenings before moonrise.
6. Scorpions Glow Under Moonlight
Scorpions have proteins that react to the UV rays of the moonlight, making them glow blue. This luminous behavior encourages them to retreat in hiding during full moons when they are most visible to predators. On the other hand, they become more active in darker new moons when prey is plentiful.
7. Sandhoppers use the Moon as a Compass
To travel between sea and land, sandhoppers use polarized moonlight for navigation. These tiny crustaceans can distinguish between sunlight and moonlight, allowing them to orient themselves properly, regardless of the time of day or night.
8. Dung Beetles’ Straight Paths
African dung beetles also rely on polarized moonlight for navigation. Once they have their dung, they roll it in straight lines away from their competitors and potential predators. Without the lunar light cue, their movements become erratic, demonstrating the critical role the moon plays in their survival strategy.
9. Birds Time Migration by the Phases of the Moon
Barau’s petrel seabirds synchronize their migrations with lunar phases. These endangered birds are timing their arrival at breeding grounds with the full moon each year, using the light as a natural calendar for reproduction activities.
10. Marine Worms’ Precise Reproduction
Marine worms like Platynereis dumerilii exhibit extraordinary precision in timing reproduction to coincide with lunar phases. Their sex cells develop under a full moon, and two weeks later — coinciding with a new moon — they simultaneously release eggs and sperm after sunset.
11. Fish Responding to Tides
Some fish species synchronize their reproductive cycles to tidal rhythms influenced by the moon’s gravitational pull. California grunion, for instance, spawns en masse on beaches during high tides associated with certain lunar phases, ensuring optimal conditions for egg survival.
12. Nocturnal Predators Change Behavior
Nocturnal predators like owls increase activity with every full moon due to improved visibility for hunting. In contrast, mammals like bats reduce their activity during bright nights as their stealth is hindered at increased illumination.
13. Plants Reflecting Moonlight
Some plants utilize moonlight for pollination. For example, Mediterranean joint-pine reflects polarized light from its fluid droplets to lure nocturnal insects—such as beetles—to act as pollinators, a stunning adaptation that’s directly linked to lunar brightness.
Animals and the moon have a complex and multifaceted relationship. From influencing reproductive cycles to hunting strategies and navigation methods, the lunar cycle intrinsically shapes life on our planet. Although we hardly know about these interactions, many studies reveal how our celestial companion affects nature on Earth.
