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Andrew Grimm
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Are tongues red because they contain blood?

Many animals have red tongues, though not all of them - blue-tongued skinks and giraffes come to mind. Are they red because of the blood (and therefore haemoglobin) in them?

It sounds plausible, but it also sounds like a post-hoc explanation.

I'd be especially curious about any other species having blue blood, like horseshoe crabs, but still having red tongues, unlike horseshoe crabs, which apparently don't even have tongues.

Andrew Grimm
  • 299
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  • 2
  • 9