Chapter 10: Foraging
Bat Eavesdropping
© Raphael Arlettaz. R. Arlettaz et al. (2001). Nature.
A mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) approaches and captures a cricket placed on the surface of a doormat. As the bat approaches the potential prey item, it reduces both its flight speed and the intensity of its echolocation calls. Echolocation does not prove useful in localizing the prey item in this context, as echoes from the cricket are masked by those from the doormat. Instead, in the face of acoustic clutter, these bats apparently eavesdrop on prey-generated sounds to pinpoint the location of their prey. The photoflash toward the end of the sequence allowed researchers to synchronize the audio and video recordings in each laboratory trial.
See Chapter 10 – Foraging, Chapter 12 – Communication.
Further reading – Arlettaz, R., Jones, G. & Racey, P.A. (2001). Effect of acoustic clutter on prey detection by bats. Nature, 414: 742-745.