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The using echolocation.

The Normedian Raytag M'Gora using echolocation.

Echolocation is a naturally evolved ability of some animal life to emit sound waves in order to track movement. The term was also used to describe a process that replicated this ability with technology. It was sometimes commonly referred to by a specific technological counterpart: sonar.

History and specifics

This ability allowed an animal to navigate in complete darkness. (Adventures RPG modules: Core Rulebook, The Sciences Division)

Advanced species

The Agni perceived using echolocation and thermal sensing. (TOS novel: The Captain's Oath)

Andorian antennae provided sensitive echolocation-detection capabilities. (FASA RPG modules: Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update, The Mines of Selka)

Arkenites had an echolocation sense that improves their ability to perceive close-range distances. (FASA RPG module: Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update)

Horta had a form of sonar to measure the density and thickness of nearby rock. (ST - Strange New Worlds VII short story: "Guardians")

Eyeless Normedians navigated via echolocation. (TOS comic: "The Haunting of Thallus!")

Lacking eyes, Pelavians used a complex echolocation ability to map their surroundings. (TNG - Amazing Stories short story: "On the Scent of Trouble")

Rengru sensed using a special type of echolocation called lidar. (DSC novel: The Enterprise War)

Shanial had four large ears, believed to be used for echolocation. (SCE eBook: Aftermath)

Squales, sapient squid-like whales on Droplet, sensed through echolocation. In 2381, while swimming in the world's ocean, Aili Lavena could hear their sonar pulses. (TTN novel: Over a Torrent Sea)

Having nearsighted eyes, Xavoth mainly perceived using chemosensor tendrils and echolocation. (ENT - Rise of the Federation eBook: Live by the Code)

Animals

The ghelnoid Ahleeshi species on Andoria use echolocation to stay together in large herds. (Last Unicorn RPG module: The Andorians: Among the Clans)

Bats were known for using echolocation. (FASA RPG module: Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update, TOS novel: Enterprise: The First Adventure, TNG - Amazing Stories short story: "On the Scent of Trouble", ENT novel: Rosetta) Ferengi mudbats developed echolocation despite the challenge of evolving such a trait in Ferenginar's stormy climate. (DS9 - Millennium novel: Inferno)

Denebian slime devils had a poorly-developed echolocation sense when first hatched. (TNG - Strange New Worlds III short story: "The Change of Seasons") They hunted using hearing and echolocation, and even a sonar-like sense underwater. (Last Unicorn Games module: Star Trek: The Original Series Core Game Book, Decipher RPG module: Creatures)

Dolphins gleaned more about their surroundings from echolocation than from their eyes, and could simultaneously produce "sonar" clicks while communicating orally. (TOS novel: Probe)

Vulcans could hear the "sonar cries" of chiroptera on Vulcan. (TOS novel: Unspoken Truth)

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