Science reveals the secret behind the Blue-Tongued Skink’s vibrant tongue

Science reveals the secret behind the Blue-Tongued Skink’s vibrant tongue (Image: Canva)

Blue-tongued skinks are reptiles that stun everyone with their bright blue tongues. Scientists say they are masters of bluff and survival. This reptile is a native of Australia. Skinks can be found in New Guinea and parts of Indonesia too. These skinks are famous for their unusual defensive trick.

A Mouthful of Surprise

The blue-tongued skinks are found in Australia and some areas of New Guinea and Indonesia. The skinks have an unfathomable secret about its blue tongue. When in fear, this medium-size lizard opens its mouth, which bears a bright blue tongue. This scares the predators and provides the skink an opportunity to escape.

When in fear, this medium-size lizard opens its mouth, which bears a bright blue tongue. (Image: Canva)

Why the Tongue is Blue?

Unlike many animals whose colours come from pigments, the blue tongue of this skink is created by refracting ultraviolet light (UV) on special tissues. This produces an effect that may seem even stronger to the predator with the UV sensitivity.  Skink here makes the display of its tongue very effectively.

A Clever Survival Strategy

Such a defense mechanism is termed as deimatic display. This is nothing but a bluff. The startling bright colour may disorient or scare birds and snakes and any other threat. To humans, it might seem dramatic but in the wild, it is an imperative survival strategy.

More Than a Pretty Tongue

Blue-tongued skinks besides their gaudy defense are also characterized by a docile temper. They are favored as pets, but potential owners need to think about their long lifespan and a need to have spacious and well-maintained habitats.

Nature’s Ingenious Design

The blue-tongued skink provides evidence of creativity and ingenuity of nature. Its colorful tongue not only keeps it out of the travel path of predators but also depicts the incredible mechanisms. This creature indicates how evolution help the animals to exist in a harsh world.