The Chameleon’s Secret Weapon

Chameleons may be best known for changing colors, but their tongues are just as wild. In some species, the tongue can stretch 1.5 to 2 times the length of the chameleon’s body — not counting the tail.

It’s not just long — it’s fast. A chameleon can launch its tongue in 1/100th of a second. That’s quicker than the blink of an eye. The tongue tip is shaped like a suction cup and coated in sticky mucus, which helps it snatch bugs right out of the air.

Inside, the tongue works like a slingshot. It’s powered by special muscles and elastic tissue that stores energy like a spring. When released, it propels forward with serious speed and accuracy.

This unique hunting method helps chameleons catch fast-moving insects without moving much themselves — perfect for a lizard that prefers to stay hidden in trees.

And yes, baby chameleons can do this too. Even when they’re only a few days old, their tiny tongues are already powerful enough to catch prey on their own.

Nature packed a lot of engineering into a very small reptile. The next time you see a chameleon, just know: it may be chill on the outside, but it’s got a lightning-fast tongue ready to launch.