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The chameleon’s tongue is one of nature’s wonders – it relies on a highly specialised structure that allows it to extend to twice the length of its owner’s body while unravelling telescopically, all rapidly enough to catch passing insects. Now, US and UK scientists have built a mathematical model that explains the mechanics of the chameleon tongue, as well as its energy build-up and rapid release. As the researchers found out, the tongue’s function relies on a complicated physiological structure, which requires a complex combination of tissue elasticity, active muscular contraction, stress release and geometry.
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Original paper published on April 20, 2016 in Proceedings of the Royal Society A.
