If you've ever seen a giraffe in real life before, you probably noticed something interesting about them. Beyond their long necks and adorable spots that stand out, they also have striking black, lengthy tongues that shoot out from their mouths.

The appearance of a giraffe's tongue can be alarming if you're not expecting it. Even if you are, it might get you wondering why they're so long.

Photo: YouTube/Oregon Zoo

The Oregon Zoo, based in Portland, Oregon, took to YouTube to explain just how giraffe tongues work and what they use them for.

In the video, you can see two resident giraffes at the zoo, Desi and Buttercup, use their long tongues to accept carrots and leaves from their handlers.

Their tongues are great for not only grabbing treats from people but also for picking leaves from trees.

Photo: YouTube/Oregon Zoo

While not all griraffes are endangered, their numbers have been decreasing and their populations are at risk due to human activity.

The zoo staff explain in the video, "Scientists estimate that over the past two decades, giraffe numbers have dropped across Africa by about 40%. This is due to habitat loss, disease transmitted by livestock, civil war and unrest, and poaching. Giraffes, as a whole, are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but the zoo's two subspecies of giraffes – reticulated and Masai – are listed as endangered."

Photo: Pexels/Frans van Heerden

Conservationists are working to protect giraffes and other animals living in the same areas, so hopefully they'll be around for many more years to come.

If you're curious to learn more, be sure to check out the video below: