What is the approximate maximum length of the aardvark's sticky tongue?
Answer
30 centimeters
The specialized feeding apparatus of the aardvark includes an extremely long and sticky tongue, which is capable of extending up to 30 centimeters in length. This organ functions much like biological fly-paper, designed to be projected rapidly into the narrow, complex tunnels and chambers within insect nests. Once extended, the tongue adheres to hundreds of small insects almost instantly, allowing the aardvark to swiftly retract the loaded tongue back into its mouth, facilitating the consumption of vast quantities of prey at a high rate necessary to meet its significant daily energy demands.
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