Why is a giraffe tongue so long?
The giraffe’s long tongue allows it to reach the highest, tastiest leaves while avoiding the sharp thorns. Its tongue also features a thick, tough layer that protects it from being cut by the thorns. Thus, giraffes have less competition for acacia leaves. Acacia leaves are also an important source of water.
Does a giraffe have the longest tongue?
As a comparison: the longest human tongue is 3.7 inch (9.5 cm) long….The longest tongues:
| Animal | Tongue | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Giraffe | 21.2 inch (54 cm) | 236 inch (600 cm) |
| Sun Bear | 9.84 inch (25 cm) | 55.1 inch (140 cm) |
| Tube-Lipped Nectar Bat | 3.3 inch (8.5 cm) | 1.9 inch (5 cm) |
| Lungless Salamander | 1.9 inch (5 cm) | 2.3 inch (6 cm) |
Why did giraffes evolve long necks?
The French zoologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is usually credited as the first person to suggest that long necks have evolved in giraffes because they allow them to get to the parts other herbivores cannot reach. Long-necked giraffes were more likely to survive hard times than their short-necked rivals.
Do giraffes have muscles?
This evolution has resulted in an animal with very long legs but relatively little muscle. This means that giraffes can support their huge weight without actively engaging as much muscle, which reduces fatigue.
Do giraffes necks bend?
Yes, that’s right, this mighty mammal with the longest neck in the world, can’t reach the watering hole for a slurp! Even worse, giraffe can’t simply bend their necks forward. They must awkwardly splay their forelegs and bend their knees before they can lower their necks to the ground for a drink.
Which creature has longest tongue?
Chameleon. The most famous tongue in the world belongs to one of the most colorful animals in the world: the chameleon. In relation to their body size, it’s the longest tongue in the world. It’s twice as long as the animal itself (including its tail).
How did the giraffe evolve?
A Darwinian theory of evolution posits that it was through random variation that some giraffes had longer necks than others. Because they could access food, the giraffes with longer necks were better able to survive and reproduce, with their offspring inheriting their long necks.