Which animal has the biggest nose? We take a look at the contenders
Although the hose-nosed cycad weevil’s snout is around twice the length of its body and therefore should win the accolade of animal with the biggest nose hands down it is disqualified because it sports its mouth on the tip of its snout (used to drill holes in plants) – therefore stretching the definition of a nose.
Zoologically, a nose is a structure bearing nostrils, through which air enters and exits the lungs. That’s something found only in vertebrates.
So with the hose-nosed cycad weevil out who could win the accolade of biggest nose?
Well it’s probably no surprise as no vertebrate is more generously endowed in the nasal department than an elephant. Indeed, an elephant’s trunk is the nose to which others aspire: elephant seals, elephant fish and elephant shrews are all named for their possession of schnozzes that are not to be sniffed at.
Other animals with famous big noses include tapir, aardvark and of course the proboscis monkey, which probably has the biggest nose of any primate.
The title for weirdest nose however goes to the star-nosed mole