The giraffe has the strongest, toughest and longest tongue (1.6ft i.e 50 cm) of all ungulates. Very robust, it resists acacia thorns and elongates to reach the tenderest shoots between the barriers of thorns. The giraffe also uses its tongue to drink or to clean its nose. The tongue of the giraffe is black to avoid being sun burnt. Males also use their tongue to taste female urine and check their ovulation.