This is a Komodo dragon at the LA Zoo, using its tongue to check things out:
As with many other reptiles, the Komodo dragon primarily relies on its tongue to detect, taste, and smell stimuli, with the vomeronasal sense using the Jacobson's organ, rather than using the nostrils. With the help of a favorable wind and its habit of swinging its head from side to side as it walks, a Komodo dragon may be able to detect carrion from 4–9.5 km (2.5–5.9 mi) away.
That's a whole lot more than my tongue does these days.
trump's spirit animal
Meooooow. Dragons know...Kitties know.
Kevin, you gotta be feeling pretty low to feel any envy of a reptile. I hope your sense of taste returns soon!
If I recall from what I once read about snakes the forked tongue actually lets them smell “in stereo.” ie the two tips let them tell the direction of a smell just like two ears let us tell the direction of a sound.
It has detected you.
Cats also have a jacobson's organ. You can see them using it when they open their mouths and grimace to take in the more subtle smells.