Story: Dolphins

Dolphins using echolocation

Although sight is useful for tracking down prey in clear water, echolocation is much more useful in murky or dark water. Dolphins send out a stream of clicks that echo off any hard surface such as bone, or the tight swim bladders of fish. They use the echo to create a mental picture of objects directly in front of them. They may also be able to visualise objects picked up by a nearby dolphin’s clicks.

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Dolphins - Bottlenose dolphins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/4685/dolphins-using-echolocation (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Sep 2015