Bats are such interesting little creatures. They seem like some sort of bird species gone awry, but they are actually beautifully designed mammals. During early summer walks, we often see one or more bats, fluttering erratically through the sultry air.
Many bats can navigate and track their food in total darkness using echolocation, the process of emitting inaudible high pitched sonar (10-20 beeps per second) and detecting the returning waves. When the sonar bounces off of nearby objects, the bat adjusts its course accordingly and can close in on a flying insect with perfect precision. Some bats even use their wings to create the sonar. Did you know that the scientists who developed sonar and radar in machines like submarines got their ideas from studying echolocation design in bats?
There are other animals who live, move and feed in low light conditions who also use echolocation. Animals like whales dolphins, shrews and some birds depend on this specialized design to survive.
A friend taught us how to have a little fun with our bat friends and see echolocation in action by blowing a quick puff of air in their direction. In so doing, we are sending a wave directing them to quickly change direction or risk crashing into us.
Watch for bats in the early evenings. Remember that there are only a few species of bats that feed on animal blood (often called Vampire bats) but none of them live in the United States.
To see bats in Phoenix, visit the Maricopa County flood control tunnel at 40th Street and Camelback Road. The bats use the tunnel as a day roost. Go at sunset to see them exit the tunnel for a night of feeding. Find wonder in the early evening sky.
Video
KQED - These Whispering Walking Bats Are On to Something
Learn More Resources:
Field Museum - Do All Bats Echolocate?
Arizona Bat Fact Sheets
Sonoran Desert Museum - Bat Species Fact Sheets
Phoenix Bat Cave
Be A Bat Detective!
Bat Species
Ask a Biologist - ASU
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