Power at the Tip of the Tongue

The chameleon captures insects by unleashing its long sticky tongue with astonishing acceleration and accuracy. In their Perspective, MA¼ller and Kranenbarg reveal the chameleon9s secret: a tongue designed like a catapult. Describing work published elsewhere, the Perspective authors discuss the unique features of the chameleon9s tongue that enable it to accelerate at 500 m sec.