What is echolocation?
Echolocation is a way of using sound to find objects in the environment.
Bats use it in the air and dolphins use it in the water. To echolocate, the
dolphin generates a sound pulse (of clicks) in its forehead which is sent
into the water. The sound bounces off objects, creating an echo that
returns to the dolphins. We think that dolphins hear the returning
echoes by feeling the sound pulses against their jaws. Different objects
(like different kinds of fish) give off different kinds of echoes. Dolphins
can also judge how far away the object is by the amount of time it takes
for the echo to return.