Do lemurs really have two tongues and a built-in grooming tool?
In short: Explore the unique anatomy of lemurs, including their specialized tooth combs and the mystery of their double tongues. This behind-the-scenes look at the Natural History Museum collection reveals how these primates maintain their social standing through grooming.
Lemurs are iconic primates native to Madagascar, distinct from monkeys. Museum scientist Hannah Teague explains that their social lives are influenced by their appearance, with grooming playing a key role in troop dynamics. To facilitate this, lemurs possess specialized tooth combs, which function as built-in tools for maintaining their fur.
The video examines three specific specimens from the Natural History Museum's collection in London: the ring-tailed lemur, the indri, and the mouse lemur. Beyond their grooming habits, the presentation addresses the anatomical curiosity of their so-called double tongues, providing a rare look at the specimens housed within the museum's collection of over 80 million objects.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The primate with a built-in toothpick | A closer look at lemurs
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