Animals with big noses have a lot of advantages and it makes them unique from the rest. Either they use it as a tool to find food or attract mates, these 20 animals with big noses have some pretty impressive facial features.
1. Aardvark
Aardvark is a burrowing mammal that is endemic to Africa. It has a long pig-like nose that it uses to sniff out ants and termites, which make up the majority of its diet.
2. Babirusa
The babirusa is a pig-like creature that is found in Indonesia. Babirusas are known for their two large tusks, big nose, and canine teeth.
3. Black Rhinoceros
The black rhinoceros is a large mammal that is native to Africa. It has two horns on its head and a large nose that they use to fight.
4. Bushpig
The bushpig is a wild pig that is found in Africa. It has a big long snout and tusks.
5. Dugong
Commonly known as “sea cows,” dugongs are large mammals that are found in waters with a large population around Australia and Arabian Gulf. They have a large snout with a cleft that helps them forage for seagrass.
6. Elephant
Elephants are large mammals that are found in Africa and Asia. They have a long big trunk that they use for many purposes such as drinking, eating, and lifting things.
7. Elephant Seals
Elephant seals are large marine mammals that are found in the Pacific Ocean. They have a big proboscis, or nose, which they use to make vocalizations.
8. Elephant Shrew
The elephant shrew is a small mammal that is found in Africa. It has a long proboscis, or nose, which it uses to sniff out food.
9. Gambian Pouched Rat
The Gambian pouched rat is a large rodent that is found in Africa and is known for its distinctively big snout.
10. Giant Anteater
The giant anteater is a large mammal that is found in Central and South America. It has a long snout that it uses to sniff out ants and termites, which make up the majority of its diet.
11. Hammerhead Shark
The hammerhead shark is a large predatory fish that gets its name from its distinctive head shape which resembles a hammer. The Hammerhead shark has a large nose that it uses to smell and find prey.
12. Longnose Gar
Seamlessly biting and capturing their prey, Longnose gar has a row of long sharp teeth on their big noses.
13. Long-Beaked Echidna
The long-beaked echidna is a small mammal that has a long snout that it uses to dig for ants and termites, which make up the majority of its diet. They also eat earthworms, moth larvae, and other small insects.
14. Mandrill
The mandrill is a large primate that is found in Africa. It has a long snout with an enlarged nose and canine teeth.
15. Proboscis Monkey
Proboscis monkeys are unique for their long protruding nose. Scientists theorize that their big noses amplify calls to attract potential mates.
16. Sawfish
The sawfish is a large fish that has a long nose with sharp teeth that it uses to slash at its prey.
17. South American Coati
The South American coati has a pig-like snout that it uses to sniff out food.
18. Sperm Whale
The sperm whale is a large mammal that is found in the ocean. It has a big long nose that comprises a third of its body.
19. Star-Nosed Mole
The star-nosed mole is a small mammal that has a star-shaped nose that it uses to sniff out food.
20. Tapir
The tapir is a large mammal that has a long prehensile snout, which it uses to sniff and pluck leaves and fruits. They are known to use their noses as a snorkel when they swim.
Conclusion
There are many different animals with big noses that serve many different purposes. Whether it is for finding food, mate attraction, or self-defense, these creatures show that having a big nose can be beneficial.
Long-Beaked Echidna Image by: Jaganath, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
