Echolocation is a type of sonar used by bats to navigate and hunt. Bats emit sounds and use the echoes to determine attributes of their environment like location of prey, proximity to obstacles, and distance to water. They are able to do this because their large ears allow them to hear the echoes of the sounds they produce. Bats rely on echolocation to survive as it helps them find food and water and avoid collisions without good vision in certain lighting conditions.