Giraffe Tongues Can Be 20 Inches Long
Doodlebrary
- Yes, that’s correct! Giraffes have incredibly long tongues, and they can reach lengths of up to 18 to 20 inches (45 to 50 centimeters).
- These long tongues are advantageous for reaching leaves on tall trees, their primary source of food.
- Giraffes use their prehensile tongues to strip leaves from branches and twigs, and their tongues are also tough and covered in small, hair-like structures called papillae, which help protect them from thorns and other rough vegetation.
- This adaptation allows giraffes to access food sources that are out of reach for many other herbivores.