Chameleons Tongue: A Combination of Unbelievable Length and Lightening-Fast Projection

Speed
406 words

Chameleons are a subject of curiosity among biologists for the captivating ability to change skin color,
however, this extraordinary lizard found mostly in Madagascar has another feature that is equally
appealing and impressive, and that is its tongue! With a speed of 13.4 miles per hour (Bijal P. Trivedi,
"Catapults" Give Chameleon Tongues Superspeed, Study Says) that can surpass even some of the fastest
bikers in the world with ease, the tongue features a sticky substance that makes hunting or preying
times easy and deadly.

Modern research suggests that the reason behind a Chameleons ability to throw the tongue with ultrafast speed lies primarily in its biological structure. That is, structurally, like a motion that resembles
arrow launch from a bow, the tongue is propelled by elastic collagen tissue structured in the middle of
accelerator muscle and tongue bone, acting as a biological catapult.

Notably enough, its speed is not the only striking thing about Chameleons tongue however.
Interestingly, further, a Chameleon has the ability to project its tongue to a distance close to one and
half times its body length. Even more surprising is the fact that certain less-researched smaller variants
of the lizard can throw their tongues to distances as long as twice the body length!

The above aspects are only half of the equation, because the quickness with which a tongue can act is
another truly extraordinary feature of the Chameleons tongue, with most Chameleons being able to
catch preys within a duration of time that is lightening fast, normally nearing 0.07 seconds (Chameleon,
Wikipedia).

Closely resembling a club (Tongue Mechanics, reptilis.net), the tip of a Chameleons tongue contains
saliva of sticky nature, which help adhere the front part of the tongue to the prey in target, when a
strike is performed by the lizard. Coiled inside the mouth neatly when not in use (The Incredible
Projectile Tongue of the Chameleon, Scribol), the tongue works with the help of circular as well as
longitudinal muscles. When it comes to pulling the tongue back in its place, the retractor muscle knonn
as hyoglossus shows its magic of following the tongue projection with precision and accuracy.

Almost every single aspect about the Chameleons tongue is amusing, that said, the most interesting
aspect perhaps, about this lizard, is its ability to project its tongue with such high speeds even when its
body temperature remains considerably low, which is not the case with other similar ectothermic
animals.

1. Trivedi, Bijal. Catapults Give Chameleon Tongues Superspeed, Study Says. National
Geographic News. National Geographic Society, 19 May, 2004. Web. 6 May 2014.
2. Chameleon. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 26 April, 2014. Web. 6 May 2014.
3. Sarus, Emmy. The Incredible Projectile Tongue of the Chameleon. Scribol. Scribol, 11 October
2010. Web. 6 May 2014.
4. Tongue Mechanics. Reptilis. Reptilis. Web. 6 May 2014.