Which Animal Has the Longest Tongue?

Nature never stops surprising us. Animals have acquired the most unbelievable tongues on land, in the sea, and in the air, to be able to live under the most specific conditions. Even insects, which are entrenched in deep parts of the earth, and creatures that suck the nectar in little flowers, have their tongues hung so far over what might seem that they do so.

In this article, we explore eight animals with shockingly long tongues, explained through question-based sections, simple language, and verified biological facts—making it ideal for readers' questions like:

• Why did evolution favour such long tongues?

• Which animal holds the world record?

• Which species has the highest tongue-to-body ratio?

Let’s find out.

Adaptation of animals to their environment has been quite outstanding, and tongue length is one of the most interesting entities. Tongues are not objects, but objects of a life, i.e. such functions as a survival tool, but in different species depending on diet, habit and behaviour.

Which Animal Has the Longest Tongue?

So, you all must know, Which Animal Has the Longest Tongue? 

Let’s find out from this table:

Data Source: AZ Animals

Why Does the Giant Anteater Have Such an Exceptionally Long Tongue?

Among the animal kingdom feeding machines, one of the most specialised belongs to the giant anteater and its tongue. 

Source: Shutterstock

It evolved and became a specialist predator to excavate ants and termites out of underground nests.

• Normal length of tongue: 2 feet.

• Native habitat: the southern and central areas of America.

• Homeland Forest, Savanna and grass.

• Individuality: Saliva that sticks and entraps insects instantly.

This has allowed the anteater to feed on thousands of insects in a few minutes, and with no chewing.

How Does a Giraffe’s Tongue Help It Survive in Harsh African Climates?

Giraffes have a tongue that is long and rough in nature, but it is adapted in a way that helps it feed on the thorny acacia trees.

Source: freepik

• Tongue length: 18–20 inches

• Colour Black, dark bluish in order to prevent sunburn.

• Wildlife: African woodland and savannas.

• Food: It can consume those leaves that are inaccessible to other herbivores.

This is a long tongue that helps giraffes in getting the only entry point to the sources of food that are elevated in the air.

What Makes a Pangolin’s Tongue Anatomically Unique?

The tongue of the pangolin is attached near the pelvis, unlike other mammals, which have the tongue attached near the throat.

Source: trufflepig

• Tongue length: Up to 16 inches

• Native lands: Asia and Africa.

• Diet: Ants and termites

• Characteristic feature: Tongue drawn into a serious hole.

This is a weird shape that allows the pangolin to dig small holes in the colonies of the termites easily.

Why Do Sun Bears Need Long Tongues in Dense Rainforests?

The sun bears are known to have long tongues so that they can reach embedded food within a tree.

Source: Oakland Zoo

• Tongue length: Around 10 inches

• In nature, the trees have an origin in the southeast in the tropical parts of Asian forests.

• Staple food Honey, insects, and larvae.

• Advantage: Exploration in underground logs and hives.

Their long tongues compensate for their relatively small size among bears.

How Does the Blue Whale’s Tongue Support the Largest Body on Earth?

The blue whale possesses the longest and heaviest tongue known to exist.

Source: environment.co

• Tongue length: Up to 18 feet

• Weight: Comparable to an adult elephant

• Habitat: All major oceans (except the Arctic)

• Function: Filtering massive quantities of krill

This enormous tongue plays a crucial role in gulp-feeding, allowing whales to consume several tons of food daily.

In conclusion, the long tongue which the evolution has stretched to micro-bats and marine monarchs proves that evolution is a delicate instrument and an engineer of life. All of these animals demonstrate that even when it is just a single part of the body that nature, in its shaping, can change how one species competes, feeds and survives.