Chapter 1
The physics of the floppy-winged flyer
Chapter 2
Super-hearing and the art of shouting in the dark
Chapter 3
The wildest dinner parties in the animal kingdom
Chapter 4
Cozy nurseries and ancient global legends
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret lives and goofy truths of bats
Ch 2 · Super-hearing and the art of shouting in the dark
futura These complex facial structures shape and direct ultrasonic pulses, allowing the leaf-nosed bat to target its prey.
futura Motion-blurred neon graphics show the protective ear shutting reflex of a screaming bat
Fun Fact
Ultrasonic kids: Some children can actually hear the very lowest clicks of hunting bats that their parents' older ears completely miss.
Glossary
echolocation (noun)
The physiological process of locating distant or invisible objects by means of sound waves reflected back to the emitter. Biologist Donald Griffin coined this term in 1938 after recording ultrasonic bat cries at Harvard University.
The physiological process of locating distant or invisible objects by means of sound waves reflected back to the emitter. Biologist Donald Griffin coined this term in 1938 after recording ultrasonic bat cries at Harvard University.