Bats apparently sabotage each other's sonar to capture the best prey.

Using sonar to detect their prey in midflight, bats capture their prey more effectively and precisely when flying. Researchers believe this sonar ability can disrupt other bats' echolocation, or the method they use to determine the location of objects based on reflected sound.

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They also think this only occurs when bats are flying within close proximity of each other. Apparently, bats use different frequencies during hunting so they won't clash with other bat signals.

A new study of the Mexican free-tailed bats also called "Tadarida brasiliensis," details that these nocturnal creatures apparently sabotage each other's sonar on purpose as they hunt for food. 

Researchers have deciphered a type of sonar signal these bats emit specifically designed to ultimately destroy and disrupt another bat's echolocation.

According to Aaron Corcoran from Johns Hopkins University, this type of echolocation jamming involves sound interference using echoes that vary in time and frequency. Corcoran differentiates this type of signal as a special one with the uncanny ability to disrupt. The other type of signal usually occurs when bats use the same frequency.

He says this jamming signal covers all the frequencies used by another bat. Researchers believe bats normally do this due to their large numbers and a big group usually implies an imminent shortage of food sources.

This study was recently published in the journal, Science.

Tagsbats, Echolocation, sonar bats, bats sabotage echolocation jamming signals sonar steal prey, Bats Apparently Use Jamming Signals to Steal Prey from Others