Snouts

A snout is the projecting front part of an animal’s head, typically encompassing the nose and mouth area. In everyday use the term often describes the external portion of the face that extends forward from the rest of the skull, and it can include the underlying bones such as the rostrum. In humans the word is sometimes used informally to refer to the nose, but in zoological contexts it more commonly denotes the front facial region of other animals.

Structure and variation rely on anatomy and ecology. In mammals the snout can be short and blunt or long and tapered. The external part is commonly called the muzzle in many species. Internally, the snout contains nasal passages used for breathing and olfaction, and in many species the mouth and teeth are integrated into this forward region. Some animals also have specialized adaptations of the snout for feeding, probing, or manipulating objects.

Functions and adaptations reflect lifestyle. Olfaction is a major use of the snout in many mammals, guiding foraging and social behaviors. The snout can also aid in respiration, the capture of prey, digging, or probing mud, sand, or vegetation. Elongated snouts are seen in animals such as anteaters and some tapirs, while highly flexible or muscular snouts occur in certain domesticated species, such as dogs and pigs, enabling versatile manipulation of objects.

Related terms include muzzle, rostrum, and beak or bill in birds. Snouts vary widely across species and illustrate adaptations to feeding, sensing, and environmental interaction.