When you picture a frog, you probably think of its tongue shooting out in a flash to grab an insect. That quick, sticky strike is one of the things frogs are most famous for. But what about salamanders? Do they have long tongues that work the same way?
No, salamanders don’t have the same kind of long, flipping tongues that frogs do. Most salamanders have short tongues that don’t shoot out far. Instead of snapping prey from a distance, salamanders usually rely on lunging forward and grabbing food with their jaws.
How Frogs Catch Prey with Their Tongues
Frogs are built for tongue projection. Their tongues are attached at the front of the mouth, which lets them flip out and snatch insects in the blink of an eye.
The tongue itself is sticky, coated with mucus that makes prey stick instantly.
When a frog spots a bug, its tongue whips out, grabs it, and pulls it back into the mouth almost faster than you can see.
This whole move takes only a fraction of a second. It’s one of nature’s quickest food-grabbing tricks.
Salamanders’ Tongues Work Differently
Salamanders, on the other hand, don’t use their tongues the same way.
Their tongues are usually shorter, attached toward the back of the mouth, and not made for flipping out with speed.
Most of the time, a salamander catches its food by lunging forward and snapping its jaws shut.
Some species can push their tongues out a little, but it’s nothing like the fast strike you see in frogs.
Different Species, Different Tongues
Not all salamanders are exactly the same. Some have developed special tongue abilities that go beyond the typical short tongue.
For example, plethodontid salamanders, which don’t have lungs and live mostly on land, can shoot their tongues farther than most others.
In fact, their tongues can stretch out farther than the length of their heads. Even so, their tongues still don’t match the speed and sticky strength of a frog’s.
Other salamanders, especially the ones that live in water, often use suction feeding instead.
They open their mouths quickly and pull prey in with a rush of water, which works well for catching small animals swimming nearby.
Why Salamanders Don’t Need Long Tongues
The difference comes down to lifestyle. Frogs often sit in open areas waiting for insects to come close, so a quick tongue strike is perfect.
Salamanders spend a lot of their time in damp, hidden places where they can sneak up on prey.
Instead of relying on tongue projection, salamanders use their jaws, teeth, and careful movements to grab insects, worms, spiders, and even small fish.
Their shorter tongues act more like helpers, to push or hold food, not as main hunting tools.
How Salamanders Catch Prey
When a salamander spots something to eat, it usually creeps closer and then lunges with a quick bite. In water, some species rely on suction feeding, pulling prey in with a sudden gulp.
On land, stealth and speed are the main strategies.
Even though salamander tongues aren’t as dramatic as frog tongues, they can still move in interesting ways.
Some species flick them out a short distance, and in special cases, a salamander can extend its tongue more than half its body length.
Still, the move is slower and less forceful compared to a frog.
Frogs vs. Salamanders
Frogs and salamanders may both be amphibians, but their hunting styles show how differently animals can adapt.
Frogs evolved long, sticky tongues to grab fast-moving prey in open areas. Salamanders kept shorter tongues because sneaking and lunging works better in their habitats.
Each method works for the lifestyle the animal has. Frogs strike from a distance.
Salamanders get up close. Both approaches help them survive.
Conclusion
Salamanders don’t have long, sticky tongues like frogs. Instead, they use shorter tongues, strong jaws, and sometimes suction feeding to catch prey.
A few salamanders can project their tongues, but never with the speed and reach of a frog.
That difference tells a bigger story: frogs and salamanders adapted in their own ways to thrive in the places they live.
Frogs rely on quick strikes, while salamanders depend on patience, stealth, and a well-timed lunge.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.