Chanel Tapper, a student from California, USA, has the world's longest tongue, measuring 9.75 cm (3.8 in), from tip to top lip.
Her lizard-like tongue is twice as long as the average, as long as the world's largest cockroach, as wide as your palm, the same volume as a quarter pounder hamburger and around the same length as an iPhone.
We recently put some questions to Chanel about her record-breaking body part.
What do you do for a living? What's a typical day for
you in your hometown?
I am a full-time student and I work part-time. I just moved
to Houston, Texas, so I'm still adjusting, but in my home town
there is no typical day.
I love to go out, so I can be anywhere at any given time.
When did you first realise that your tongue was longer
than average? What happened?
I was eight and my mom and I were taking pictures for
Halloween.
In one of the pictures we stuck our tongues out. I noticed I had a long tongue when the pictures from Halloween were printed and I saw it...but I guess it became apparent in middle school when people started commenting on it.
Why I stuck my tongue out at people, I don't know... I'm goofy! But there are still some people from back then that only remember me because of my tongue!
What reaction do you get from people when they see it?
For most people it's a jaw-dropping experience. It's like they don't believe what they see and nie out of ten times, they'll ask me to do it again.
Some girls/women have screamed/jumped back. If there are other people around, the person who saw my tongue will tell the nearest next to them.
I'll often get asked questions like, "can you touch your nose or elbow?" and, "do you choke people when you kiss them?"
But always, everyone in one way or another is entertained by seeing it.
Despite the excitement of having achieved a Guinness
World Record, if you had the choice would you keep your long tongue
or choose to have a 'normal' one?
This is my normal tongue. I was born like this, so no choice would
be necessary.
What do your friends and family think about your
record?
I don't think I showed many family members, but my friends
think a lot of things. Some think it's cool, some think it's nasty,
some still get surprised every time they see it.
Are there any explanations for your long tongue such as
other members of your family having the same trait or was it just
by chance?
My mom has a long tongue, but not like my length. I believe I was
born without something underneath that prevents it from extending
far.
Are you always conscious of your tongue or has it become
something very normal for you?
I am ALWAYS conscious. There aren't many instances where I have to
remember, "Chanel, don't stick out your tongue," but I am aware of
my surroundings before I put on a show.
Does it affect your relationships in any way? Do you
currently have a boyfriend and if so, what does he
think?
It does. Most guys that know or already see it automatically have
their mind in the gutter, and so do some females. I don't have a
boyfriend, but the last guy I dated didn't make it that big of a
deal, and I really liked him for that.
Were you born with your tongue unusually long or was it
something that developed?
I was born with it.
What do you anticipate for yourself now that you're set
to appear in the Guinness World Records 2012 Edition
book?
I honestly don't know. More attention I'm guessing, but I am
excited to find out.
The truth is all of this may end up being my ticket to paying for the rest of my years in school.
It may just be fifteen minutes of fame. Either way, I will enjoy every opportunity that comes, as long as it doesn't interfere with school.
