We have heard of the space arms race or nuclear arms race. It seems we are always try to one-up other countries to be the best or the first to achieve something. It appears that we are not alone in this sort of competition.
This same sort of one-upping competition can be seen in nature as well. For the longest time I am sure that bats thought they ruled the roost (or at least the night sky). Bats are able to use echolocation (same as dolphins) to be able to hunt their prey at night. By emitting ultra-sonic sounds bats are able to create a picture of the night sky by the reflections of these sounds. This is the same principle the military uses to detect enemy planes or submarines (it is a sonar). In an event to show up the poor little bat (well, I guess it is really in an event to survive) the tiger moth evolved a technique that will actually jam the sonar of the bat.
Try to picture this, the hungry little bat is cruising the night sky emitting these numerous high pitch sounds to create a mental picture of the surroundings. The sound bounces back and shows the bat an image of a tasty moth. Thinking it is his lucky day, the bat swoops in for the kill. Just as the bat swoops though, the sneaky little tiger moth starts emitting numerous ultrasonic clicks (about 450 clicks in a tenth of a second). At this point, the bat no longer has a clear image of the night sky and can’t see its prey. It is as if something turned its etch-a-sketch upside down, the picture disappears. Studies have shown that 85% of the time, the bat would be unsuccessful in capturing a sonar jamming moth. I am assuming that the bat will now need to evolve some sort of tiger moth sonar jamming, jammer or just eat other moths that aren’t as successful in escaping their predator.
Check out the video below to see the tiger moth at work.
It’s amazing how intelligent these bats seem and the “high technology” they seemingly have in order to survive. We used to have a huge amount of bats when I lived in upstate New York. They lived inside a small space on top of our roof. At dusk, they’d come sweeping by so closely, and my friend would always say, “Don’t worry, they’re blind. They solely go on high pitched sounds.”
Is it true that they have no sight? And if they go by sound only, wouldn’t they try to avoid us?
Very interesting blog!
@Debra Pasquella, First of all, thank you for visiting Wild Facts and commenting. The use of echolocation in bats is definitely interesting and does seem to be advanced. Although, bats rely heavily on this sonar technology, they are not actually blind. Don’t get me wrong, bats don’t have eagle eyes or anything but they can see fairly well.
I believe the expression “Blind as a bat” comes from the erratic flying behaviour of bats. The real reason they fly this way is due to the fact they are chasing insects (but we can’t see the bugs at night).
For the record, I would be very surprised if a bat ever collided with a human. They may be flying around us since insects are attracted to the carbon dioxide humans emit, however, this is just a theory of mine.
Thanks again for visiting!
Since black flies and mosquitoes are another one of the bats food items. I bet you these bugs are envious of the moth and wish they also had sonar.
Quite interesting!! By the time you’re finish educating us, we’ll be ready to take over your biologist job! (ha, ha)
I’m quite curious how many people read comments…anybody out there want to comment so I can fulfill my curiosity and do a number count (even if it’s just to comment…I do).
Thanks!
@candy, I read the comments every day!!
hahaha! I bet black flies and mosquitoes are envious!! I would be more than happy to help you search for a biologist position after all these facts are done.
Thanks for reading and for trying to get people to comment. Although, I am just happy knowing some people are reading these posts.
Hi Candy,
I check Nathans website every morning and the comments throughout the day.
Hope your curiosity gets satisfied!
Count me on reading the comments, although I don’t usually get to them until later in the evening as my hours have been quite erratic.
I knew bats used sonar, but I didn’t realize there were any moths around so gifted.
Oh Dr. Shorthouse and Dr. Fenton would be so proud of you Nathan!
@Corey, Hahahaha! I am sure they would! Don’t worry buddy, I will make you proud with the Red Fox Wild Fact! I am just not sure when I will pull it out of my bag of tricks!