Story: Bats

Echolocation by bats

There are two types of bat – megabats such as fruitbats, which navigate mainly by sight, and microbats, which locate prey using echolocation. New Zealand has only microbats. They send out pulses of high-frequency sound and listen for the returning echoes that bounce off objects. The sound is produced in their larynx (voice box) and sent out through their nose or mouth.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Artwork by Bruce Mahalski

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Veronika Meduna, 'Bats - Bats in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/9748/echolocation-by-bats (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Veronika Meduna, published 24 Sep 2007