Posted by Proud Blade on March 21, 2000 at 19:18:23:
In Reply to: Re: So, what is the difference between echolocation and sonar? (nt) posted by Rune(VIP) on March 21, 2000 at 10:19:00:
Echolocation is the active use of sound waves to find objects. Most neuro folks would include sending the sound waves, receiving them, and then interpreting them. But if you ask a Navy officer what their sonar system does, they will tell you the same thing. In my opinion, the words are synonyms.
But, if you read Kama's posts, it's clear he knows a little bit of zoology, and is trying to pass himself off as an expert so he can feel warm and fuzzy inside. One thing he is correct about is that many species of bats can see just fine. It's just that vision does you little good when you hunt at night, so the bat's echolocation is much more highly developed. But even nocturnal animals have a need for good vision, so evolution hasn't selected against the bats who have it.
- Proud Blade, who reads an awful lot when you people aren't PKing his sorry ass.
Mandatory CF content: Wouldn't a nocturnal race be nifty? Or a race on a lunar calendar, like druids?
> > Bats use echolocation not sonar, in addition to thier vision and hearing to stalk insects and other prey. Please hush now.
> >
> > > While it may offend you, that wasn't really the point... The point was that nightgaunts might be able to track him by other means than vision.
> > > And I do believe that even though bats are not blind, they use sonar to track their prey.