Bat brains use specific neurons to map vast distances
Specialized cells in the hippocampus act as a biological GPS, allowing Egyptian fruit bats to navigate kilometers of territory with pinpoint accuracy.
In the hidden architecture of a bat's brain, a specialized group of neurons known as place cells functions as a living map. These cells are located in the hippocampus and activate only when the animal passes through a specific physical location. While scientists originally discovered these cells by watching rodents navigate small laboratory mazes, the system is far more sophisticated in animals that roam across vast, open landscapes.