How long does a giraffe’s tongue last?

The tongue of a giraffe measures approximately 18 to 21 inches (45.72 to 53.34 centimeters) in an adult. This is proportional to the size of the giraffe, the largest of all terrestrial mammals, and its long neck. It is usually blue-black.

Adult males can grow up to 18 meters (5.49 feet), while a female can reach 14 meters (4.27 feet). Its legs are about 6 feet (1.83 meters) long. Males weigh up to 1,500 kilograms (3,000 to 1,360.78 pounds) and females can weigh up to 20 kilograms (680.39 pounds). The lifespan of a giraffe is usually XNUMX to XNUMX years.

The color of a giraffe’s tongue is blue-black. The dark color of a giraffe’s tongue is believed to serve as protection against sunburn. The height of the giraffe, combined with the length of a giraffe’s tongue, allows the animal to reach the tallest leaves of a tree. There is little or no competition for food.

Like cows, giraffes have four compartments in their stomachs and regurgitate their food. When a giraffe does not eat, it usually ruminates. The narrowness of the giraffe’s tongue only allows it to grab a few leaves at a time, so it eats regularly throughout the day. Giraffes can consume about 75 pounds (34.02 kilograms) of leaves a day.

Acacia leaves are the favorite of giraffes. The long spines on the branches of this tree are no obstacle to a long giraffe tongue. Giraffes have thick saliva that covers the thorns they can swallow, allowing them to slide easily down their throats. The long, slender shape of the giraffe’s tongue also allows it to slide easily between the spines, so they actually eat very few of them.

Giraffes can go long periods without drinking, mainly because of their diet. Preferred acacia leaves contain large amounts of water, which makes consumption unnecessary. However, when water is readily available, an adult giraffe can drink up to 10 gallons (37.85 L) a day.

At birth, giraffes are about 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall and weigh between 100 and 150 pounds (45.36 to 68.04 kilograms). Normally, only one calf is born at a time, although twins can occasionally occur. The giraffes look standing. The embryonic sac falls 1.52 to 1.83 meters (XNUMX to XNUMX feet) and breaks when it touches the ground.