How Bats Navigate In The Dark
By: NDTVNewsDesk
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Bats navigate the dark primarily through echolocation, emitting high-frequency ultrasonic calls.
Image: Pexels
They interpret the returning echoes to build a precise "acoustic map" of their surroundings, detecting obstacles and prey.
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Recent research also shows they read the "acoustic flow" or Doppler shifts from many echoes simultaneously.
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Bats produce ultrasonic sounds from their larynx or mouth, often louder than a jet engine at close range.
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They adjust speed based on this moving soundscape in cluttered environments, rather than tracking individual reflections.
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Their large ears are tuned to catch these returning sound waves (echoes) that bounce off objects.
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Many bats aren't blind and use their keen eyesight, especially some fruit bats that navigate visually in low light and use tongue clicks for echolocation.
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They also rely on excellent spatial memory and landmarks, similar to how they find distant food sources.
Image: Pexels
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