Woodpecker's Amazing Tongue: A Weapon, a Tool, and a Source of Inspiration

Woodpecker's Tongue: A Multi-Purpose Tool Inspiring Engineers and Revealing Dinosaur Secrets US-based science teacher Zeke Darwin recently posted a TikTok video that has gone viral, revealing the surprising use of a woodpecker's tongue as a weapon. The video, filmed in the US, shows a Red-bellied Woodpecker using its long tongue to harass a dove. "This woodpecker is actually using its tongue as a weapon to harass this other bird," Darwin explains in the video. The footage is slowed down to highlight the bird's actions. Darwin then delves into the unique biology of the woodpecker's tongue, which is approximately one-third the length of its body and wraps around its brain for protection. "It's almost like a seatbelt," he notes. The tongue's barbs also play a crucial role in securing food. The video concludes with a discussion of how this design has inspired engineers and the possibility of similar adaptations in non-avian dinosaurs, referencing a study on biomechanics. The video's unexpected insights and visual appeal have made it popular, highlighting the fascinating world of animal behavior and its impact on various fields.