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Closeup image of the Cairns Birdwing, showing its large proboscis

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A syrphid fly using its proboscis to reach the nectar of a flower

In general, a proboscis (from Greek προ, pro "before" and βοσκειν, boskein "to feed" also known as probiscus) is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate.¹.

The correct Greek plural is proboscides, but in English it is more common to simply add -es, forming proboscises.

Invertebrates

The most common usage is to refer to the tubular feeding and sucking organ of certain invertebrates such as insects (e.g., moths and butterflies), worms (including proboscis worms) and gastropod molluscs.

Vertebrates

The elephant's trunk and the tapir's elongated nose are called "proboscis", as is the snout of the male elephant seal.

The Proboscis Monkey is named for its enormous nose, and an elongated human nose is sometimes facetiously called a proboscis.

An abnormal facial appendage that sometimes accompanies ocular and nasal abnormalities in humans is also called a proboscis.

Notable mammals with some form of proboscis are:

• Members of the elephant family (see elephant trunk).
• Moeritherium
• Macrauchenia
• Palorchestes
• Aardvark
• Tapiridae
• Elephant shrews
• Numbat
• Proboscis Monkey

An Eastern tiger swallowtail using its proboscis to feed on flower nectar

See also

• Snout

References

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