What's the deal with tongues?

Why is there such a variety of tongues in the animal kingdom? CrowdScience listener Dale has observed that his dog’s tongue is different from his and so is his cat’s. He’d like to know the reason.

Caroline Steel visits London Zoo in the UK to find out more about the different types of tongues - from giraffes and birds to lizards.

She talks to evolutionary biologist Kurt Schwenk, who explains that the development of tongues made it possible for animals to make the leap from the sea to life on land. Fish could rely on water to help them swallow food, but air and gravity required a whole different mechanism for having dinner.

But why is there such a variety of tongues between species - from the forked tongue of a snake to the rough tongue of a cat? And does it all come down to our diets?

Researcher Callum Ross reveals how he’s pioneered a new technique for investigating how animals use their tongues when they eat and drink, and why tongues are so important for swallowing.

Presenter: Caroline Steel

Producer: Jo Glanville

Editor: Ben Motley

(Photo: Giraffe licking its lips - stock photo - Credit: laurenepbath via Getty Images)