Why do anteaters have such long tongues?
Quick Answer
Anteaters have long tongues to reach deep into ant and termite nests. The tongue can extend far beyond the mouth and is coated with sticky saliva to grab insects quickly.
The Full Story
Anteaters are specialized insect-eating mammals with mouths adapted for a very narrow diet. Their tongues are long, narrow, and sticky, allowing them to sweep up thousands of ants or termites in a feeding session. The tongue can move very rapidly, and the animal lacks the teeth needed for chewing. Instead, strong stomach muscles help grind the insects after they are swallowed. This adaptation lets anteaters exploit a food source that many other mammals cannot use efficiently.
Key Facts
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