Why do dolphins use echolocation?

Echolocation allows dolphins to build a picture of their surroundings using sound rather than sight. They produce rapid clicks in their nasal passages, and the echoes return through the jaw and inner ear. This helps them detect fish, navigate in dark or cloudy water, and even estimate size and distance. Bottlenose dolphins are among the best-studied echolocating mammals, and their sonar-like system has inspired human technology. In the ocean, where vision can be limited by depth, turbidity, or nighttime conditions, echolocation is a major survival tool.