Echolocation is a biological sonar used by certain animals, such as bats and dolphins, to navigate and locate prey by emitting sound waves. These animals produce sounds that bounce off objects in their environment, allowing them to interpret the returning echoes to determine the distance, size, and shape of those objects. This highly effective sensory mechanism enables them to "see" in darkness or murky waters where vision is limited. Echolocation is also utilized in various technological applications, such as sonar and ultrasound imaging.