Rhinarium

/ɹaɪnˈeəɹiəm/

/ɹaɪnˈɛɹiəm/

[noun]

Rhinarium

[NOUN]

a specialized wet surface found in the noses of some mammals that helps them to detect and analyze different scents

What is "rhinarium"?

The rhinarium is a specialized area of moist, hairless skin found on the nose of certain animals, particularly mammals such as dogs, cats, and many other species. It is characterized by a highly sensitive surface covered in small, specialized sensory receptors that help these animals detect and interpret various chemical cues in their environment. The rhinarium assists in their sense of smell, allowing them to gather important information about their surroundings, locate food, identify potential mates, and navigate their surroundings with precision. Its structure and function contribute to the remarkable olfactory abilities exhibited by these animals.

Examples

1. This is called a rhinarium, and it's that furless skin at the end of a nose.

2. Strepsirhines have a wet tip of their nose, called a rhinarium, kinda like your dog or cat.

3. And they also have dry noses, meaning they lack a rhinarium, the wet part of the snout that some animals, like dogs, have that gives them increased smelling abilities.