Proboscis

Proboscis

A Proboscis is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. In invertebrates, the term usually refers to tubular mouthparts used for feeding and sucking.

Invertebrates

In many insects, the proboscis is an elongated, flexible organ that some species use to feed on the nectar of flowers. For example, butterflies and moths have a long proboscis that they use to probe flowers for nectar. Some insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas, have a proboscis adapted for piercing the skin of plants or animals to suck their juices or blood.

Vertebrates

In vertebrates, a proboscis is an elongated nose or snout. The most familiar example is the elephant, which has a long, flexible proboscis that it uses for a variety of tasks, such as gathering food, drinking water, and social interactions.

Other uses

In some plants, the term "proboscis" is used to refer to long, tubular flowers or other structures that are adapted for pollination by insects with a long proboscis.

See also

• Rostrum (anatomy)
• Beak
• Trunk (anatomy)

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