In the design of the tongue, feeding structure, and feeding behavior of the lowly chameleon, we see evidence that natural selection was not the source for these abilities. There had to be a Creator who knew how this animal would live, and provided the structures needed for its survival. Let’s look at the details of these structures and marvel at their complexity and the greatness of their Creator.
There are two mechanisms operated by the powerful muscles that throw the tongue forward. At the back of the chameleon’s jaw lies a V-shaped bone with the point of the “V” facing backward. Attached to this bone, by a flexible joint, is the tongue bone over which the tongue fits like a glove on a finger. When the chameleon is about to shoot out its tongue, the V-bone is moved forward slightly to push the tip of the tongue out of the mouth. The circular muscles in the thick tip of the tongue then contract violently so that the tongue is forced out of the mouth. This violent, simultaneous, contraction of the circular muscle and relaxation of the longitudinal muscle allows the tongue to reach a length equal to the body length of the chameleon. In addition, the V-shaped bone is thrust farther out for added impetus to the tongue’s throw. The time required for this to occur is 1/16 of a second to extend the tongue, and 1/4 of a second to retract it. While sticky saliva on the end of the chameleon’s tongue causes its prey to become stuck, the tongue can also be used to grasp the insect.
The fossil record does not give any evidence of transition structures to support gradual evolution. Indeed, the tongue of the chameleon shows evidence of the Creator.
