Pangolins have tongues longer than their body (excluding tail), which they use to reach deep into termite mounds. The tongue is anchored in the chest cavity, allowing extra extension. Sticky saliva coats the tongue to trap insects efficiently. They can flick their tongues up to 160 times per minute. This biological tool replaces teeth for feeding. Their tiny mouths are specialized for minimal chewing. Tongue anatomy is a marvel of evolution.
Efficient feeding reduces energy waste. It allows pangolins to consume hundreds of grams of insects nightly.
The tongue illustrates how animals adapt to dietary specialization. Evolution can solve complex problems in elegant ways.
A pangolin tongue can measure up to 60 cm in adults.
National Geographic (nationalgeographic.com)