snout
Quick Summary
The snout is the part of an animal's face that includes the nose and nasal cavity. In many mammals, it is a prolonged structure, such as the nose of a dog or the rostrum of a weevil. In primates, the snout is generally reduced as their reliance on sight and manual dexterity has surpassed the need for a highly developed sense of smell.123
The shape and function of the snout vary greatly among different animal groups. For instance, in Old World monkeys and apes, the nostrils are typically close together and point downward, while New World monkeys have broader noses with nostrils set wider apart. In some ground-dwelling Old World monkeys, a long snout has re-evolved, but this is considered a dental muzzle related to jaw size rather than an olfactory adaptation. In snakes, a kinetic skull allows the snout to be raised slightly, aiding in swallowing large prey.34
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