Why do anteaters have long tongues?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Reaching deep into ant nests
It helps regulate body temperature — Wrong. The tongue does not regulate temperature. It is a feeding tool, extremely long and sticky for pulling ants and termites out of their nests.
Reaching deep into ant nests ✓ — Correct! The giant anteater's tongue can be two feet long, which lets it reach deep into ant and termite tunnels. Sticky saliva makes the insects adhere, and the tongue flicks in and out up to 160 times a minute. It is attached to the sternum, so it can extend far. Anteaters have no teeth and swallow insects whole; a strong stomach grinds the food. They eat around 30,000 ants and termites a day. Powerful claws rip open nests, and the narrow snout fits into tunnels. The tongue moves so fast it is nearly invisible.
Fighting off predators — Wrong. Anteaters use their powerful claws for defense, not their tongues. The long tongue is a feeding adaptation for reaching deep into insect colonies.
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