Protocol for the playback of phantom echoes from approaching objects to scanning bats

Summary: Because bats emit ultrasound and listen to echoes to perceive their surroundings, presenting phantom echoes is useful for understanding their perception of echolocation. Here, we present a protocol for the real-time playback of phantom echoes, especially from approaching objects. We describe steps for presenting virtual objects using a microphone, digital signal processor, and loudspeaker to induce the escape behavior of bats. We then detail procedures for clarifying their detection algorithm for approaching objects.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Yoshida et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.