Echolocation is a sensory sonar system that
dolphins use for communication and for locating things in
their environment.
Dolphins release a focused beam of clicking sounds (sound
waves) and then listen to the echo. From this they can determine
the following about an object (such as a fish).
size
shape
distance
speed
direction
internal structure (depending on the object)
Echolocation enables the dolphin to see in a much more complex
way than it might seem. In fact, the information available
from echolocation includes things that we would not notice
or see with the naked eye. Depending on the object, sound
waves can enter beneath the surface therefore giving feedback
and information of the internal structure of an object.
The dolphin's echolocation sensory system is fascinating
and complex and remains a mystery in many ways. There are
theories that dolphins may view their surroundings holographically
and are able to transfer these holographic images to other
dolphins. We do know that echolocation is extremely sensitive
and allows dolphins to examine small objects hundreds of yards
away!
More about Dolphin Echolocation
Sonar
in Dolphins
An exploration of the sonar system of Tursiops truncatus
Dolphin
Echolocation
How dolphins use sound by The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife
Centre. This site includes an animated graphic of dolphin
echolocation.
