I just found ten weird animal noses and decided to share them.
Schnoz. Snoot. Proboscis. The holes you breathe out of that aren’t your mouth. No matter what way you feel like calling it, they’re unmistakably the funniest thing on a living thing’s face. After spending hours upon hours of quarantine time researching random animal facts, it turns out a few nasal cavities outshine the rest in terms of pure ridiculousness.
Blob Fish
This sad boy became an internet sensation a few years back due to his pathetic, downtrodden look. The fish, typically under twelve inches in length, lives at the bottom of ocean floors near Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. It’s body is gelatinous, ideal for floating across the seafloor without expending much energy. The truth is that the Blob Fish only looks the way it does is due to the extreme change in density when brought to the surface, usually dead and trapped in nets. Otherwise, it resembles a typical bony fish.
Star-nosed Mole
Found in North America, the star-nosed mole isn’t as terrifying when you discover it’s about as big as a guinea pig. Those 22 tentacles on it’s face are part of what’s known as Eimer’s organs. These organs function in some ways like bats use echolocation, sensing potential food within a few milliseconds. That certainly helps as the star-nosed mole is completely blind.
Proboscis Monkey
Squidward! The proboscis monkey is an endangered species found in Borneo. In the species is what’s called sexual dimorphism, a phenomena where the males and females appear drastically different in size and shape. Males usually have those enormous schnozzes. While the noses are part of attracting a mate, females will usually be the initiators of couplings.
Goblin Shark
Imagine finding this fantasy creature in your swimming pool. The Goblin Shark has got a few interesting features left over from it’s ancient lineage stretching back over a hundred million years. The shark uses it’s long snout to detect the electric fields made by prospective prey. Don’t worry though: this goblin is only found in the ocean’s depths.
Saiga Antelope
While the Saiga looks like it might be from a Sci-Fi film or perhaps from ancient times, this species of antelope is 100% real, albeit critically endangered. Planet Earth II showed that 200,000 antelope died in just a span of a couple days due to several factors. The noses were first assumed to have been used for drinking, but new data suggests that it’s an air filtration system.
Hooded Seal
Ever know what would happen if you crossed a standard seal with a frog? You get the Hooded Seal with it’s nasal membrane capable of inflating to ludicrous size (for males only). The fleshy red nose bubble has several purposes: warding off potential threats and getting female seals to go, “that’s hot”. Or cold, if you catch my glacial drift.
Indian Gharial
The Gharial is a relative of the crocodile and alligator, his two more dangerous cousins. Thanks to conservation efforts, this species was brought back from the brink of extinction, and can now be found along rivers in northern India. It’s snouts are famous for the bony protrusions that stick from the tip of the nose.
Hammer-headed Bat
While some bats can be rather creepy, and others can be downright cute, the Hammer-headed Bat manages to be both at the same time. This flying rat is the largest bat species on the continent of Africa, with a wingspan of three feet. The male’s huge nose and larynx amplifies it’s honking prowess to attract mates. Because of this, it’s largely considered a pest.
Long-beaked Echidna
When one thinks of echidnas, many of us on the internet imagine the goofy Sonic sidekick Knuckles instead of… this. Unlike any other mammal alive today, this guy has only one bone in his mouth, sucking up food rather than chewing. It lays eggs, oozes milk from its skin, and has more in common with the platypus than hedgehogs. Sorry Sonic.
Purple Frog
Also known as the pig-nosed frog, this species is the newest weirdo on the block. It was only discovered formally in 2003, making it relatively recent for biologists to study. Unlike other frogs, this Thanos-esque amphibian calls out from underground by digging through mud until a thin layer covers it’s bloated body. Perhaps it’s ashamed to go out looking like Grape Ape.
