What color is a giraffe’s tongue typically described as being?

A giraffe’s tongue is typically described as blue-black in color.

The tongue can measure about 45 to 50 centimetres long and is highly flexible. Giraffes use it to pull leaves from thorny branches, especially those of acacia trees. Its dark pigmentation is often suggested to help protect the exposed tongue from ultraviolet sunlight while the animal feeds for long periods, although the exact biological importance of the color is not completely settled.

Giraffe tongues are not uniformly dark in every individual. The front portion is commonly much darker, while areas closer to the base may appear lighter. This variation can make photographs look different without indicating a different species.

Giraffes also have tough lips and specialized mouth tissues that help them browse among thorns. Their long necks provide access to foliage above the reach of many other herbivores, while their tongues help them select and strip individual leaves.