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Effects of Full Moon on Behavior #74726
12/26/05 06:16 PM
12/26/05 06:16 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,354
Lexington, KY
Lucy Offline OP
Serious Glideritis
Lucy  Offline OP
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,354
Lexington, KY
This gets talked about a lot. Does glider behavior change when there's a full moon? Many people swear by this. Eating falls off, more barking, up different hours.

There are different kinds of evidence. There is evidence by experience, and evidence by science. The fact that many glider owners notice changes doesn't mean it isn't real and doesn't mean it isn't valid. But at least where humans are concerned, it isn't very well documented by science that changes actually happen.


Here's a list of articles.

So what about it? Is this a myth, or do you consistently see things during a full moon ONLY that you see at no other time?



Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74727
12/26/05 06:52 PM
12/26/05 06:52 PM

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I don't see any changes in my guys during a full moon. They don't eat less or more, and nor do their sleeping habits change.

What I have noticed over the years, but have not documented by time frame, is the that some nights none of my guys will eat worth a flip and other nights they will all wipe out thier bowls. I've never paid much attention as to what the moon phase was, except to notice that this seldom, if ever happens during a full moon.

When the gliders in every cage do not eat much, I don't worry about it. When only one cage doesn't eat much, I check out those in that cage thoroughly. I do know they are all in sync it seems when they all wipe out their bowls or don't eat at all. I have no idea why this should be, but it is. I believe that in the wild, gliders don't necessarily get stuffed everyday on their food forages. I don't think any animals in the wild do. It's not like there is a super market out there for them to go to everyday. My observation has been when they all wipe out thier bowls one night, the next night I can look for a reduction in food consumption. In two or three days, they will devour everything again with moderate eating or little in between.

As for their sleeping habits, they change as the time changes with shorter days or longer days. As the days get shorter, they wake up earlier, etc. There is no rhyme nor reason as to their barking. They just bark when they feel like it, period. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" />

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74728
12/26/05 09:10 PM
12/26/05 09:10 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline
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Charlie H  Offline
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Wallis Texas
A lot of people in the old days believed that the moon had an effect on almost everything. Thus the "Old Farmers Almanac". There was a profile of a man with pointers to different sections of the body. I never really sudied the signs but the old timers on the farms planted crops, casterated animals, harvested crops, and killed animals for food according to the signs.

One of the old timers told me that the moon had an effect on how wounds heal. If you recieve a cut during the time the moon is diminishing there will not be much of a scar and it will heal quickly. If the moon phases are on the increase the wound will heal more slowly and there will be a scar. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

There were days that were supposed to be bloom days. If you planted your crops at this time they would grow well and produce blossoms but would not produce fruit. They also believed that there were certain days that you should plant crops that produced underground like potatos, beets, carrots, and turnips.

When I was in school the Texas A&M agriculture department were trying to convince the farmers that all the beliefs in the moon phases and signs was just superstition. A lot of avid fishermen still claim that the moon phases has an effect on how well the fish bite.
Charlie H


Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]
Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74729
12/26/05 09:39 PM
12/26/05 09:39 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,749
80 acres of paradise in KS
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I believe that the moon phase does effect gliders. Or atleast my gliders. I also know that grunion (small fish) only run (spawn) during the full moon cycle. Mostly in part as to that is when the high tides come in during a full moon, they tend to be higher then at other times (grunion lay their eggs in the sand at the high tide mark).

I also know storms effect my gliders. Both seem to effect their levels of activity and their appitites.


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Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74730
12/26/05 10:18 PM
12/26/05 10:18 PM

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The full moon has semmed to have an affect onmy babies too.Not to say that out of the blue they maynot eatless or more at times either....
I am not a scientist but I feel like all animals are affected by the moon and season changes too. Even dogs acted diffrently.....

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74731
12/26/05 10:35 PM
12/26/05 10:35 PM

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Where I live I do alot of bass fishing. If there is a full moon the night before I go fishing the bass don't bite too well. I think it is because the can eat at night on bait fish that they can't usually see at night but because of the moon they can. Thats just me.

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74732
12/27/05 02:13 AM
12/27/05 02:13 AM

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Yeah, about fish and full moons, a few people have said the things I was about to say, regarding tides and visibility, and so on. I believe that, regarding moon phases affecting the activity and thus the behaviour of the animals. The science makes sense.

However, I still wonder about how moon phases affect other animals, humans and gliders included, and even animals that are indoors and don't necessarily even see the moon... (...or can they? All you who feel the moon affects your gliders: Can your gliders see the moon through a window perhaps?)

Regarding gliders eating and then going off feed (or eating less) for a night, perhaps this is a evolutionary, adaptative behaviour based on feedings from acacia gums, manna, and honeydew, where it takes time to replenish exhausted sources.

Mikey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74733
12/27/05 02:40 AM
12/27/05 02:40 AM

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mine can not see the moon. At times they act different during a full moon phase and other times they do not. Mine bark more, eat less, are more active. Once I was even attacked by one of my sweetest gliders who has never bitten me. She was the first one I held so I know it wasn't because I had another smell on me. I couldn't figure it out until I came here and someones post was how did your gliders act last night during the full moon. I believe that it was because of the full moon. I have no proof other then my experiences. My gliders do not always act up or change, just every now and then.

With my dog I know when a storm is coming because of her eye (she has something called small eye...her eye does not make enough tears so her eye gets dry if I do not put drops in it). I do not have to put dorps in her eye that much but every time there is a storm comin' her eye dries up and is really bad and with out fail a day or two latter there is a storm.

I think the sun, moon, stars (not so much) and weather all can affect us in some ways so they can also affect our animals. My sisters (not Bec but another one!) knees tighten up a few days before a storm... I get more depressed when the sun doesn't shine. I have heard that more women go into labor during full moons and more people are sent to the ER during the full moon.

I am no scientist though... this is just what I have seen happen, read and heard about.

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: RSXTC] #74734
12/27/05 03:08 AM
12/27/05 03:08 AM

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Yes, I buy the storm bit, too. Storms definitely affect animals. Air pressure changes when a storm comes. You can even conduct a simple experiment using a jar, a straw, and a balloon (PM me for details) which will predict when the a storm will come. Again, in this case the science makes sense. But it's not "storms" being the alleged the cause for the observed behaviours, it's "moon phases"!

I'm still trying to look for an explanation with regards to moon phases.

I stated in the other thread that the only thing I can think of is that the moon affects tides, and thus weather patters, and thus air pressure, and thus perhaps somehow through air pressure changes, there is something that triggers the gliders to change in behaviour and feeding habits. But even then, considering all areas now, assuming the the moon affects weather patterns (and thus air pressure) to the same degree everywhere is kind of a stretch (e.g. those living in semi-arid/desert-like condidtions). In some areas of the continent, I'd bet the moon's affect on weather patterns is rather insignificant. I do believe many areas in the US in the past year have suffered from little to no precipitation and drought-like conditions, including our most recently visited Arkansas (if I'm not mistaken), and I'm sure in that time (i.e. within at least a 28 day period) there had to be a full-moon on one of those nights! Did the gliders still act up and go off feed on a full-moon during the drought period (i.e. little to no air pressure changes)?

If so, then it can't be air pressure that affects the gliders. It's something else. If it's the moon phase, what is the science behind it?

Puzzling...

Questions...

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
At times they act different during a full moon phase and other times they do not.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Wait a sec... has anyone ever observed the odd behaviours on a night when there wasn't a full moon? If so, perhaps as was mentioned by Lucy, we're being affected by what cognitive science and social psychology call "confirmation bias", where we're looking for or interpreting information in a way that confirms preconceptions... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

Mikey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74735
12/27/05 05:03 AM
12/27/05 05:03 AM

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I have no idea to what degree the phases of the moon actually affect gliders, but I can think of one logical explination as to why they might be in tune with it - preditors. An animal is going to be easier to see by the light of a full moon than it is during other times, which means that a preditor would be more likely to see the animal, and preditors that might not usually be able to detect said animal at night would be more likely to to have the capacity to do so at that time. It would make sense that an animal such as a glider would develop some sort of biological defense against this problem, such as a decreased intrest in food, so that they would be less likely to fall prey to a preditor due to these circumstances; it would also make sense that some gilders might be more sensitive to this pre-disposition than others based on a number of factors - including genetics, environment, etc. It could even be a learned behaivor that's taught from parent to child, in which case those gliders who are taken away from their parents too early would not necciserily have this behavior passed on to them. Just a thought. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74736
12/27/05 08:41 AM
12/27/05 08:41 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline
Glider Slave
Charlie H  Offline
Glider Slave

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
I think that animals can sense a lot of things that people either cannot sense or we have allowed our senses to diminish due to civilized living. The different phases of the moon effect the gravitational pull on earth. In some way maybe animals can detect the changes better than we can. And I am sure animals can detect changes in barometric pressure prior to a storm. On several occasions I have witnessed sea gulls gather and start making large circles. As they get higher the circle get smaller until they are in a rather tight group and disappear out of sight. This happens prior to a hurricane or tropical storm entering the area. I think the gulls sense the coming change and circle high enough so that they can catch the wind currents and leave before the storm actually arrives.

I don't think it is a good idea for science to dismiss all the old beliefs about the effects of the moon on almost all phases of life, animal and plant. These are mostly beliefs that have been passed down through centuries of observation. The real problem is separating the truth from the fiction.
Charlie H


Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]
Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74737
12/27/05 09:42 AM
12/27/05 09:42 AM

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Very interesting. Riverstone, that to me makes sense, and coupled with what Charlie mentioned about lunar gravitational influences, I find it much more plausible now. The reason I wasn't readily willing to accept it just yet as fact was because I was unsure if people were noticing a trend or not. The moon phases affecting the gliders claim had qualities to me of being a myth, but if people have indeed observed it (on full moon nights only and not other nights) then I'll accept it as a phenomemon. There's a scientific explanation for everything, even if we haven't yet grasped it and even if it's supernatural! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> Establishing that it's a fact is the first step, though.

The thing about the moon was, it wasn't really the "moon" itself that I found to be the puzzling factor here, it was the claim that the "moon phase" affected the gliders. The moon, as it revolves around the Earth with the Earth, is about +/- 385,000 km or so from the Earth (and the variations in distance are not concurrent with the phases) and the only thing that causes the lunar phases is the position at the time of the moon in relation to the earth and sun. On a full moon night, the Earth just happens to be between the sun and the moon, but otherwise nothing much is really out of the ordinary other than the fact that more sunlight is shining on the moon's surface and the moon happens to be furthest from the sun... or perhaps there's a bigger ecological picture I'm overlooking? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

If the answer lies in lunar gravitational influences, as it does when it affects tides, then why don't the gliders act up and go off feed during the new moon? In nearly all cases I know of, the tides are affected the most when the Earth moon and sun are aligned, which includes when there is a new moon. Do GC's surfers have anything to add?

Also, I have always believed animals can indeed sense storm activity, as well as other things like seismic activity (i.e. earthquakes). In the past, I mentioned how there should be a science that studies the behaviour patterns of animals and naturally occuring events (earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic activity, seasonal/climactic variations, drought, other natural disasters). Could you imagine how many people we could have saved in Southeast Asia this year, if someone had noticed all the animals leaving for safe ground when they did?

Mikey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74738
12/27/05 10:15 AM
12/27/05 10:15 AM

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Since the moon effects the tides, and most life forms are mostly water, I believe the moon effects everything...perhaps in subtle ways, but if it makes the tides ebb and flow, then certainly it effects life.

By the way, I studied this in school--in psychology we were told that the moon had no effect on human behavior...that it was a myth. I also spent 8 years working in a mental institution, and the text books lie. I can cite tons of true stories that happened when the moon was full. I've also seen nurses step out their doors, look at the full moon and go back in to 'call in sick.' That's because they didn't want to deal with all the havoc at work.

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74739
12/27/05 10:17 AM
12/27/05 10:17 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline
Glider Slave
Charlie H  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
I think there is a lot that science could learn from animal behavior. We have all heard of people who have a sixth sense but I think in their own way animals go far beyond that. Some of an animals reaction to situations are taught by the parents but a lot are inherent.

I have a little Chu/terrier mixed breed dog that amazes me. This little dog can be in the house and the neighbors dog will come into our drive and drink out of a container of water we leave out for the wild ducks. The container is at least 100 feet from the front door but my little dog will run to the door every time the neighbors dog comes to drink. We will be upwind of the visiting dog, the tv will be blaring and he can't see outside yet he senses the presence of the other dog. It makes me wonder how he does it. Sometimes I think man needs to re-invent biology and change their approach to studying animals and their behavior. A lot or research has been done with animals but I don't think we have even scratched the surface of really understanding their psychological senses.
Charlie H


Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]
Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74740
12/27/05 10:37 AM
12/27/05 10:37 AM

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</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
If the answer lies in lunar gravitational influences, as it does when it affects tides, then why don't the gliders act up and go off feed during the new moon? In nearly all cases I know of, the tides are affected the most when the Earth moon and sun are aligned, which includes when there is a new moon.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

...come to think of it, ignore this paragraph. LOL. That's just it, the gravitational influences of the sun and the moon on the earth during the new moon is different from when there is a full moon. The gravitational pull from the outer bodies happens at different locations on the earth so perhaps the gliders can differentiate that.

I even said it...

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
the only thing that causes the lunar phases is the position at the time of the moon in relation to the earth and sun.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Duh! Perhaps that is significant and has an affect on a variety of things, including the earth's magnetic variations, influences from the sun's activity, polarized light, etc which surely the animals are sensitive to...

Charlie, that's some brilliant dog!

Mikey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: ] #74741
12/27/05 02:53 PM
12/27/05 02:53 PM

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I never notice my gliders acting strange on any other nights other then full moons. If thier food has not been touched much, it is one of two things... it was a full moon or they were breeding. But no none of my gliders have attacked me on any other day for no reason at all. It was only during that full moon.

Like CharlieH I believe that animals can sense much more then humans can. One of my favorite stories of the Tsunami last year was about the animals. Why weren't there alot of animals dead in the waters like there were humans? Because the animals sensed something and moved to higher grounds (if they could). How did they know that this was going to happen? I know they cuold of sensed the storm but a tsunami (I'm probably not spelling that right!). Anyway animals are just alot more aware of things then humans are. I also believe that the full moon can affect people to, but I have never experienced it.

Re: Effects of Full Moon on Behavior [Re: RSXTC] #74742
12/27/05 03:10 PM
12/27/05 03:10 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline
Glider Slave
Charlie H  Offline
Glider Slave

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Maybe you have experienced it but didn't even realize it. Maybe we should start a log and track our mood swings along with the moon phases.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" />
Mikey, you mentioned the magnetic fields. This is something that can be very interesting. A lot of people in the scientific world do not want to believe in witching for water. I can tell you that it does work to a certain extent. I can take two wands made from wire coat hangers and locate underground pipes, electrical cables and phone lines. This is not hocus pocus. Now I don't know about witching for metals or underground water but I can tell you that witching for pipes and wires will work.
Charlie H


Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]

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