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[♪ INTRO]

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Hi, Squeaks, have you seen Sam around?

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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Oh right, I forgot that Sam was going to visit
his family today.

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They live in a cave not too far from here.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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Sam is brave.

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But Squeaks, what do you think would be scary
about living in a cave?

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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Oh, you’re afraid of running into things
in the dark?

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It could be a bit scary trying to get around
in the dark if you aren’t used to it.

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Most people use their eyes to help figure
out where they’re going,

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and you do too, Squeaks.

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In the dark, you and I can’t see if there’s
a wall, or chair in our way,

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and we might trip.

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But Sam and much of his bat family have a
special way to help

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get around their cave safely.

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Bats can use echolocation.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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Well, do you know what an echo is, Squeaks?

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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That’s right!

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An echo is when sound bounces off of things,
and you can hear the sound

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again and again.

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Like when you shout in a big room… room…
room…

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Echo-location is using echos to locate, or
find, objects around you,

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like the walls of a cave, or Sam’s favorite
chair.

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Bats can make a special sound that travels
through the air and bounces off of objects.

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When the sound bounces back to the bat’s
big ears,

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the bat can tell how far away the object is,
and sometimes even what it is!

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Bats have really big ears, so that they can
catch a lot of sounds!

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Bats can echolocate to get around in the dark,

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to avoid flying into cave walls or trees outside.

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And they can also use it to find flying bugs
to eat.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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Echolocation is a pretty amazing skill, and
it’s not just bats who can do it.

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Because it’s so helpful for finding your
way in the dark,

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some other animals who live in dark places
can also echolocate!

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Some birds who live in caves, like oilbirds
and swiftlets,

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can echolocate like bats do.

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And there are other very dark habitats, or
places that animals live,

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where echolocation comes in handy.

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Squeaks, can you think of any other habitats
that can get really, really dark?

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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The ocean does get super dark below the surface.

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Some creatures who live in the ocean, like
dolphins, can echolocate, too.

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Dolphins are really good at making different
sounds.

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Just like the bats, they make special sounds
that travel away from them

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and bounce off of objects nearby.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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That’s true, dolphins don’t have big ears
to catch sounds.

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The dolphins actually use their heads to tell
when the sound bounces back to them.

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The bounces let them know the direction of
fish and other creatures around them.

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Can you think of any other places to live
where it might be dark?

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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There are a lot of animals who live in tunnels,
aren’t there?

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Like shrews!

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Those are small furry animals who spend a
lot of time burrowing underground.

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Scientists have been studying how they get
around in their dark tunnels,

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and it looks like they make lots of special
clicking sounds, especially

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when they’re in new and unfamiliar places.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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Exactly!

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The scientists think the shrews might be echolocating.

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Though they’ll have to study more to know
for sure.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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I’m sure that you would be very brave in
the dark if you could echolocate.

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But even though most of us can’t echolocate,

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I have another idea for a tool to help you
be brave and get around in the dark.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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You can take my flashlight, so you can still
see, even if you’re in a dark space.

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[Squeaks squeaks]

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You’re welcome, Squeaks!

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What dark habitats would you explore if you
could echolocate?

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Would you explore caves like a bat?

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Or swim through the deep ocean like a dolphin?

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Remember, if you’d like to keep discovering
more amazing animal skills with

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Squeaks and me, and all of our friends, click
the subscribe button below.

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We’ll see you next time, here at the Fort.

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[♪ OUTRO]