Why Do Giraffes Have Long Blue Tongues? Evolutionary Survival Strategies

The giraffe, often called the king of the African savannah, has a majestic appearance. But one body part truly grabs attention: the tongue. Measuring nearly 50cm long and deep blue in color , this unique organ reveals millions of years of evolutionary adaptation. More than just unusual in appearance, the giraffe’s tongue is a precise survival tool .     How Long Is a Giraffe’s Tongue? An adult giraffe’s tongue typically measures 45 to 50 cm . That’s long enough to lick its own eyelids! It’s primarily used to pluck leaves from tall acacia trees , and is skillfully adapted to avoid the tree’s sharp thorns while selecting only the edible parts. Why Is the Tongue Blue? The giraffe’s tongue isn’t pink like most animals—it’s a deep bluish-black. This color comes from a high concentration of melanin , a pigment that offers protection against UV rays. Because giraffes spend most of their time under the hot sun with their tongues frequently exposed, melanin ac...