Revealing that the same “slingshot” system supports the tongue movements of these reptiles, the study provides important insights into the origin and mechanics of chameleon and salamander motion, while also paving the way for breakthroughs in medical, search-and-rescue, and space technologies.

Indeed, the results stress that the solutions to some of the most pressing technological problems are found in surprising places, with the fast-moving tongues of these reptiles having the potential to inform the creation of new blood-clot-targeting tools and recovery instruments for tough-to-reach objects on Earth and in space.