The Animal With the Foot-long Tongue

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When competition for resources is fierce, being able to reach food that other animals cannot get to is a bonus. Possessing a foot-long tongue is a huge advantage and this is where the okapi excels. In the above clip, you get to see a masterclass on how to access the higher branches of a tree and the tasty vegetation that is found there. So, let’s find out why the okapi have evolved to have such an amazing tongue and how they use it.

Why Do Okapis Need Long Tongues?

Okapis are shy mammals who belong to the giraffe family. They live in the Democratic Republic of Congo in areas with high-canopy forests. Even though they have large, black eyes, their eyesight is poor but their hearing is excellent. This allows them to detect predators in the dense forests that they call home.

Like their long-necked cousins, they are herbivores and feed on leaves, fruits, and seeds. They will also eat ferns and fungi. Those okapis that can reach the higher leaves will have an evolutionary advantage, and that is where their amazing tongue comes into play.

It is also important to note that okapis are highly selective feeders so they are fussy about which leaves they pluck from the trees. Their tongue also allows them to pick out their selected plants from the others.

The Okapi Tongue

Okapis are much shorter than giraffes, their shoulder height only measuring around 5 feet. While their neck is longer than most other ruminants, it is nowhere near as long as a giraffe’s.  They do not, therefore, rely on their height to reach the higher leaves. Instead, they use their tongue.

The okapi tongue is long and prehensile, which means that it is capable of grasping things. They use it in conjunction with their lips, which are mobile and muscular. You can see in the above clip the way the animal wraps its tongue around the twigs, drawing the leaves into its mouth. The elongated shape of its head also helps to extend its reach.

If you look closely, you can see that the okapi tongue is dark blue in color with a pointed end and a smooth base. It has a number of rough papillae on its surface to help with grip. Unbelievably, it can be extended almost a foot beyond the animal’s snout.

The clever okapis do not just use this incredible tool for obtaining food. They also use it to groom their entire body and can even wipe their eyes and ears using their tongue!