tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153716190402200.post4227824619194352968..comments2024-01-18T18:37:20.986+02:00Comments on Zoo Torah: Angry ChameleonNatan Slifkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04488707201313046847noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8023153716190402200.post-87614448369264827362009-05-20T18:33:22.403+03:002009-05-20T18:33:22.403+03:00Just a little fascinating tidbit about chameleons:...Just a little fascinating tidbit about chameleons:<br /><br /> The chameleon's tongue has an accelerator muscle, which by itself is not strong enough to achieve the high speed. The tongue is bound, though, to 10 newly-discovered sheaths, tied to the tongue bone, that literally catapult the tongue outwards. (At 50 G's) These sheaths contain a spirally-wound protein that store energy “like a stretched rubber band.” As the tongue accelerates, the sheaths release their energy, then telescope outward to allow the tongue to reach its maximum extent – twice the chameleon’s body length. Facing a predator so armed, the fastest fly doesn’t stand a chance.alexnoreply@blogger.com