echolocation

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ech·o·lo·ca·tion

(ek'ō-lō-kā'shŭn),

Term applied to the method by which bats direct their flight and avoid solid objects. The creatures emit high-pitched cries that, though inaudible to human ears, are heard by the bats themselves as reflected sounds (echoes) from objects in their path.

echolocation

the means by which objects are identified through echoes returned from very high frequency sound emissions. Bats use such a system to avoid objects in flight and to locate prey, as do toothed whales and dolphins.

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Another common misconception - that these bats are blind and use natural echo-location sonar to navigate.

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Another common misconception is that these bats are blind and use natural echo-location sonar to navigate.

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Until the 1970s, scientists had only the barest understanding of how marine mammals used echo-location.

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He doesn't use sonar as that might interfere with the whales' own echo-location system used for navigation and communication.