Sonar, a precision tool used by bats to travel long distances

The use of echolocation to navigate and avoid obstacles is one of the most fascinating feats of bats. These nocturnal mammals are able to estimate the distance and shape of objects around them by exploiting the information contained in the echo of their calls. By analyzing the time it takes for these ultra-high-pitched sounds to return to its ears, the bat can “see” around it, even in complete darkness, with an extraordinary degree of precision. According to biologists, it distinguishes details of the order of a millimeter several meters away. The animal thus spots the insects on which it feeds while circling in the air.

Unlike sight, this faculty seems impossible to exploit over great distances, and biologists are still trying to understand how bats navigate during long journeys. A study published Thursday in the journal Science answers…