02/06/2026
Another round of lemons being handed out, during the same day as the water lily from my previous post. We left the river and went on a typical game drive, and hoped to spot lions we'd heard were in the area. No lions appeared.
We found a group of giraffes, eventually. It was late morning, the light was harsh, and the giraffes were busy eating, completely ignoring us. We hanged around for a while, hoping something interesting might happen, but this giraffe doing some tongue calisthenics was the only notable thing.
I did take a few photos, though, and I liked this one eventually; I think it works well in high key.
The tongue of a giraffe is one of those details that feels almost invented when you first learn about it. But it’s all very real, and quite remarkable, really.
Here are some of the most interesting facts:
1. It’s incredibly long: A giraffe’s tongue can reach about 45–50 cm (18–20 inches). That length isn’t just for show; it allows them to reach deep into thorny branches to grab leaves other animals can’t reach.
2. It’s prehensile (like a hand): A giraffe can grasp, twist, and pull with its tongue. Combined with its flexible upper lip, it can delicately strip leaves from branches, even around sharp thorns.
3. Extremely strong and dexterous: Despite its softness, the tongue has powerful muscles. It can wrap around branches and pull leaves into the mouth with precision.
4. Surprisingly resistant to injury: Between the thick saliva and the tough surface of the tongue, giraffes can repeatedly eat spiky plants without obvious harm, something that would shred most other animals’ mouths.
5. It plays a role in cleaning: Giraffes can use their tongues to clean their noses and even their ears. It's a slightly odd but very practical feature given their long necks.
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🦒 Cape Giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)
📸 Canon R5M2 & Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
📍Marakele National Park, South Africa
