Diploglossate

/ˌdɪploʊˈɡlɑsət/ adjective

Definition

Having a forked or double-tipped tongue, especially referring to certain reptiles.

Etymology

From Greek 'diplos' (double) + 'glossa' (tongue) + Latin '-ate' (having the quality of). This adjectival form describes animals with the distinctive two-pronged tongue structure.

Kelly Says

Snakes flick their forked tongues to collect scent particles from the air—this adaptation is so important that scientists gave it its own fancy name to identify all the animals that share it.

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