Giraffe tongues are strikingly dark, ranging from grey to black with a hint of blue or purple. This pigmentation likely serves as a shield against UV radiation.
Measuring up to 22 inches, a giraffe's tongue is one of the longest among mammals, enabling it to reach high into trees to grasp leaves.
Renowned for their dexterity, giraffe tongues are not only long but also highly agile, adept at maneuvering through thorny branches to select the most desirable foliage.
In addition to their length and flexibility, giraffe tongues retract swiftly to avoid irritants like stinging ants or nettles while feeding.
The surface of a giraffe's tongue is robust, equipped with enlarged papillae that provide both protection and heightened sensitivity, crucial for navigating thorny vegetation.
Thick giraffe saliva acts as a viscous mucous, coating thorns and reducing their impact, while its antiseptic properties aid in healing tongue injuries sustained during feeding.
Despite a common misconception, giraffes do not clean their ears with their tongues. Instead, they use their tongues primarily for tactile exploration of their nostrils.
Evolution has finely tuned giraffes' tongues to be highly selective browsers, enabling them to extract up to 66 pounds of nutrient-rich leaves daily from tough, thorny Acacia trees.
Male giraffes lick female urine to detect pheromones signaling reproductive readiness, a behavior crucial for mating rituals and ensuring successful reproduction.
In captivity, giraffes may exhibit repetitive licking behaviors due to lack of natural tongue stimulation, highlighting the importance of enrichment to maintain their mental and physical well-being.