How bats use echolocation to eliminate competitors

Echolocation is a wonderful invention of nature, which can be used only by some representatives of the animal world. Bats are one of those lucky ones who are able to navigate in space using high-frequency sound waves and find prey in complete darkness. But, it turns out, the bats use sound signals not only to orient themselves, but also to disorient the rivals - their brothers in the pack.

American biologists have observed bulldog bats - virtuoso insectivorous bats, which are widespread throughout the globe. These mammals have a very perfect aircraft compared to their counterparts, which allows them to carry out maneuverable flights. Using sound recording equipment and a detailed analysis of signals, scientists were able to find out that echolocation in this species is used not only for orientation and communicative purposes: during hunting, mice drown out the signals of rivals, thus preventing them from detecting prey.

These obstacles are created by mice right before the attack of a competitor, when he is ready to deliver a decisive blow. It is at this moment that the mouse emits a specific signal, which allows opponents to detect it and include interference in the response. This rivalry of high technology continues until one of the participants in the duel is tired and he does not give up production.

It is not yet clear whether other types of bats have such super-powerful weapons. But scientists believe that in the future, similar studies will be carried out with respect to other species.