What does a cat's tongue do when it drinks? - briefly
A cat's tongue curls backward to create a ladle-like shape, pulling water upward into its mouth through rapid, precise movements. This mechanism allows cats to drink efficiently while keeping their whiskers dry.
What does a cat's tongue do when it drinks? - in detail
When a cat drinks, its tongue performs a highly specialized and efficient motion that allows it to draw liquid into its mouth despite the physical limitations of its anatomy. Unlike humans, who use suction to drink, cats rely on a unique lapping mechanism. The tongue extends rapidly toward the liquid, curving slightly backward to form a spoon-like shape. As the tongue touches the surface of the water, it quickly retracts, creating an upward column of liquid due to inertia. This column is then captured by the cat’s mouth before gravity causes it to fall back into the bowl. The entire process occurs with remarkable speed and precision, as a cat’s tongue can move at a rate of approximately one meter per second. This method allows the cat to ingest a small but sufficient amount of liquid with each lap, ensuring hydration without overwhelming its delicate system. The papillae on the tongue, which are small, backward-facing spines, also assist by helping to guide the liquid into the mouth. This intricate combination of speed, coordination, and anatomical adaptation makes the cat’s drinking behavior both fascinating and efficient.