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Sulawesi Snouter
Sulawesi Snouter
General information
Universe Real Life
Classification Hyorhinomys stuempkei
Species type Hog-nosed shrew rat
Homeworld Earth
Intelligence Non-sapient
Biochemistry Carbon-based lifeform
Discovered 2013
Biological information
Reproduction Sexual; gives live birth
Locomotion Quadrupedal
Feeding behavior Insectivorous & Vermivorous
Prey Beetle larvae, earthworms
Distinctive features Pig-like snout
Skin color Pink
Lineage information
Related species Snouters
Cultural information
Sociocultral characteristics
Scientific taxonomy
Planet Earth
Domain Eukaryota
Kingdom Animalia
Subkingdom Eumetazoa
Infrakingdom Bilateria
Superphylum Deuterostomia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Infraphylum Gnathostomata
Superclass Tetrapoda
Class Mammalia
Subclass Theriiformes
Infraclass Eutheria
Superorder Euarchontoglires
Order Rodentia
Suborder Myomorpha
Superfamily Muroidea
Family Muridae
Subfamily Murinae
Genus Hyorhinomys
Species H. stuempkei
Other information
First sighting 2013

The Sulawesi Snouter (Hyorhinomys stuempkei) is a species of Old World shrew rat endemic to the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The creature is unique amongst rodents, and is defined by its pig-like nose. It possesses giant ears and long hind legs, presumably to better hear and capture their subterranean prey of earthworms and beetle larvae. They have particularly long, almost vampire-like incisors, which are likely used like hedgehogs to better feed on their prey of choice. However, they have lost their coronoid process jaw muscle attachment point, presumably because their dietary habits do not require forceful chewing.

It is currently unknown what purpose the specialized nose serves, although both these and pigs are known to root through the earth.

Trivia[]

  • The word "snouter" references the fictional text, The Snouters: Form and Life of the Rhinogrades by the German zoologist Gerolf Steiner. Steiner wrote this text as a fictional naturalist, Harald Stümpke, and the specific epithet of H. stuempkei pays homage to this fictional individual.
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