Cella Wright: The coolest stuff animals can do with their tongues

The coolest stuff animals can do with their tongues

An alligator snapping turtle lures its prey using a blood-engorged tongue that resembles a wriggling worm. And it’s far from the only animal doing tongue trickery. Tongues in the animal kingdom vary widely — from texture and length, to shape and dexterity. So, what's the point of having so many different kinds of tongues? Cella Wright explores how different species use the appendage to survive. [Directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio, narrated by Susan Zimmerman, music by Cem Misirlioglu].

Across the animal kingdom, tongues have evolved into astonishing tools for survival, hunting, and defense. Some, like the chameleon's, strike at speeds reaching nearly 5 meters per second, while others, such as the anteater’s, stretch over half a meter to devour thousands of insects daily. From sticky and spiny textures to forked tips that decode scents, each adaptation reveals nature’s ingenuity. These diverse tongues do far more than taste—they shape how animals eat, communicate, and thrive.