Welcome to Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope!
I’m Carl Kerby, and we’re talking about the giraffe.
There’s more to the giraffe than just the long neck. They also have to have a … long tongue. Their tongues can be anywhere from 18-20 inches long.
I admit there are other animals with long tongues, but they are not as special as the giraffe.
The giraffe tongue is very tough. One reason is because one of their favorite foods is the Acacia tree, and they have some serious thorns on them.
The giraffe also produces very thick saliva that helps protect their tongue from these thorns. I’d hate for him to slobber on me! Yuck!
Did you notice that their tongue is “two-toned?” Notice that the very front has a very dark section, and the further back you go it gets lighter! Why’s that?
Well, no one is exactly certain, but it’s believed that because they spend so much time with their tongues reaching out and grabbing food that if it were entirely lighter, it could get sunburned.
The darker color is believed to be a protection from the sun. How cool is that!
Anyway, time’s up, so we’ll see you next time with more Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope.
Until then … stay bold!
Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
