The characteristics of the dorsal surface of Chaetophractus vellerosus tongue were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Simple or branched filiform, fungiform and vallate papillae are described. Simple conical filiform papillae appear in the apex, lateral edges and posterior third, caudally to the circumvallated ones. The branched papillae are densely distributed all over the dorsal surface of the lingual body. Fungiform ones are scattered among the branched filiform papillae. In the posterior third there are two vallate papillae. Filiform papillae have mechanical role, meanwhile fungiform and vallate ones are gustatory papillae showing taste buds and taste pores. Microplicae are visible at high magnification in all type of papillae as well as in the interpapillari zone