There are some animal species with a characteristic blue, purple or lavender colored tongue that makes them particularly special. Among them are the blue-tongue lizard, the Chow Chow dog or the black bear . But why do their tongues have such a striking and irregular bluish color?
Blue tongue lizard: To begin with, the tongue in such a striking color serves as protection against predators, as is already the case with other species that use bright colors to intimidate those who seek to feed on these creatures. Blue-tongued lizards (specifically the blue-tongued skink [Tiliqua scincoides ]) are very common in the savannas and semi-desert regions of Australia and the fact that their tongue sticks out so much and expose it so much to the outside is because they have the ability to smell through them.
Chow Chow : It is unknown why this robust breed of dog originally from China has a bluish or even purple or black tongue but the gene with this tonality on the tongue is usually dominant in this breed and its color also depends on the color of the dog’s hair. dog. Another of the dog breeds that share this picturesque trait with the Chow Chow (which means swollen lion dog) are the Shar Pei (or Sand Skin), also of Chinese origin.
Black bear: The Ursus americanus is the most common bear in North America, with a size between 100-130 cm high and 140-200 cm long. The color of their fur varies from black to white, going from brown, tan or blond. These bears are able to stand upright and walk on their hind legs. Despite their size, they can run up to 55 km / h. Their average life span is 10 years although they can live up to 30 years.
