Even in a cave, chatty bats know who’s saying what
Today’s question:
I understand the basics of echolocation, which bats use to “see” in the dark. What I don’t get is how they do it in a cave with thousands of other bats all chirping at the same time?
Wouldn’t the echoes just be a big confusing mess? Or does each bat chirp on a slightly different frequency allowing them to differentiate their own chirps from those of other bats?
It turns out bats are a pretty talkative bunch.
A few years ago, scientists at Tel Aviv University studied about 15,000 sounds made by 22 Egyptian fruit bats and discovered they could tell who was talking and who was listening and what they were chatting about.
It turns out the bats were a pugnacious lot that spent a lot of time fighting about food, mates and sleeping positions.
And a third bat listening in could tell who was shouting, what they were shouting about and who was being shouted at.
So I guess that means bats can find their individual ways around a big, noisy, dark cave.
If I’m in the HOV lane going at a relatively fast speed and another driver comes up behind me wanting to go even faster, am I supposed to get out of the HOV lane so he can speed by?
Assuming you are already doing the speed limit in the HOV lane you should not have to give way to a speeder.
That said, there are so many lunatics out there. I’d just get out of the way and let the crazy guy go ahead. It’s your job to drive as safely as possible. Why would a woodpecker be banging on top of my air conditioner?
Because love is in the air. Your feathered friend is raising a racket in order to attract a mate and to announce the borders of his territory.
Have a question for Clay? Reach him at 602-444-8612 or clay.thompson@ arizonarepublic.com.