Ballistic Precision: The Tongue Strike of Calumma parsonii

Chameleons possess one of the most remarkable feeding mechanisms in reptiles: ballistic tongue projection. The tongue apparatus consists of an accelerator muscle that contracts around a stiff cartilage, launching the tongue at high speed. In Calumma parsonii, the Parson's chameleon, this mechanism reaches its peak performance. As one of the largest chameleons, it has the most powerful tongue relative to body size, capable of extending more than twice its body length. The sticky tip acts like a suction cup, securing prey instantly. 

High-speed footage and time-lapse recordings reveal the extraordinary acceleration and precision of this strike, unmatched among lizards.