What is Echolocation?
- Echolocation is finding things by using echoes.
Sometimes it is called sonar.
- Dolphins can use echolocation to help them find food
or find their way from place to place. They make special clicking
sounds. Scientists think the sounds can be aimed by the bulge at the
front of the head which is called the melon. The clicks bounce back off
any object in their path. Dolphins can tell the size, shape and
direction fish are travelling in. This is very important in dark, murky
seas when dolphins cannot see their prey. It means they can catch fish
in total darkness.
Robin Petch and Kris Simpson, Dolphinicity Surveys
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