A study published in the journal Science reveals that bats that use echolocation possess an acoustic cognitive map of their living area, allowing them to orient themselves and navigate distances of several kilometers.
Research and Methods
The research was conducted by scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, the University of Konstanz, Tel Aviv University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
They conducted experiments with Kuhl’s bats (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in the Hula Valley, Israel, tracking 76 bats using a reverse GPS system called ATLAS.
The bats, even using only echolocation, returned to their shelters within minutes, demonstrating their ability to navigate on a kilometer scale. Furthermore, when they have sight, they improve their navigation by combining both senses.
Flight Experience
The team created a detailed map of the valley to visualize what each bat experiences during flight. They found that bats fly close to environmental features with higher echoic entropy, using these areas as acoustic reference points.
Kuhl’s bats can navigate several kilometers using only echolocation, but when vision is available, they combine both senses to enhance their orientation and navigation performance. This behavior suggests that they possess an acoustic mental map of their living area.
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