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Proboscis
/proʊˈbɑːsɪs/noun
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A proboscis is a long, flexible, tubular appendage found in certain animals, such as the trunk of an elephant or the elongated mouthpart of a butterfly, primarily used for feeding, sensing, or manipulating objects. In broader or metaphorical contexts, it can describe a prominent human nose or any protruding structure, highlighting how evolutionary adaptations solve survival challenges in diverse species.
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The longest proboscis in the insect world belongs to the Wallace's sphinx moth, which can extend up to 35 cm—longer than the moth's body—allowing it to sip nectar from the deepest flowers, a remarkable adaptation that inspired Alfred Russel Wallace's contributions to evolutionary theory.
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