Bats use echolocation maps to navigate long distances in the dark

Researchers have discovered that Kuhl’s pipistrelle bats can navigate long distances using echolocation alone, even after being moved from their original location. In a study, 95% of the bats returned to their roosts within minutes over a three-kilometer radius. The bats utilize environmental features, such as trees and roads, as acoustic landmarks to create an internal acoustic map of their surroundings. While echolocation is effective, the study also found that bats improve their navigation when they can use their vision. This research, conducted by the Max Planck Institute and other institutions, highlights the bats' ability to combine echolocation and spatial memory for navigation in low-light conditions.