Bats are fascinating animals that have many unique features. One of these is the ability to sense a prey location using sound. Confusing, isn’t? Let’s get to know how they do it.
Bats use the sound technique known as ‘echolocation’. It means determining the location of something by measuring the time it takes for an echo to return from it.
As they fly, bats make calls, and listen to the returning echoes to build up a sound map of their surroundings. These sounds are produced by contracting their larynx. Measuring the time it takes for the echo to return, this smart mammal can predict at what distance its prey is!
Usually, the calls of bats are pitched at such high frequencies that humans fail to hear them naturally. Another interesting fact is that bats can distinguish between obstacles and preys through echolocation, and can thus avoid the obstacles and catch the prey.