Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was doing a reptile show yesterday for some school kids and was asked why different snake species have different colored tongues.
I didn't know the answer, so I figured I'd ask here.
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Interesting question. Not only does tongue color vary by species, but sometimes two individuals of the same species have different colors and I've seen a few specimens with large "blotches" of two colors.

I think at least a few species use the tongue as a lure.

Other than that I don't really know. (It doesn't necessarily have to serve a specific purpose.)

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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Good points Larry, in captive bred snakes especially different individuals of the same species can have different colored tongues, probably due to the (occasionally excessive) inbreeding we put them through to get the pretty colors and patterns we all love

Some species have been known to use their tongues as lures for prey (copperheads and garter snakes for example) Others, like the Oxybelis vine snakes of Central and South America use their tongues to break up the outline of their head and aid in camouflage.

But we also have to accept that not every aspect of animals in nature is there for a purpose. For example, the gene that codes for tongue color could also code for a more important feature and thus certain tongue colors essentially hitch hike down the evolutionary tree with other traits.

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Zach

Yes, aside from the occasional snakes that use them as prey lures, tongue color in most snakes would be sort of similar to asking "why do humans have different colored eyes or hair, etc.."........in most cases, there IS no real specific reason at all, it's just the way it is, and was simply one of the many countless other genetic codes that was inherited.

It just so happens that dark pigment (melanin) is a dominant color feature in most organisms, therefore most snakes have dark tongues. And the next most common thing to happen would be the lack, or total absents of dark pigment. Many snakes even have mottled tongues that are black and pink of varying percentages.

But is there a real "reason" for most of them to be any specific color?.........this would seem very doubtful.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -Serpentine Specialties

Thanks guys.
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http://www.mikefoux.com
http://www.snakerack.info

Hondurans
Pueblans
Corns
Grey-banded King
California Kings
Speckled Kings (Calcasieu Parish locality)
Brooksi
Goini/Brooksi Crosses
San Diego gophers
Texas Rat
Jungle Carpet Python
Ball Python
BCI
Sulcata
Leopard Geckos
Wife, Caucasius Mexicana Integrade WC