Nasobeme

Nasobeme / Honatata, Nasobema lyricum
Origin: Speculative fiction, Literature — Classification: Snouters — Sapience level: Non-sapient

Appearance[]

Snouters: The Nasobeme is the most representative species of the oddball mammal order known as Rhinogradentia, a.k.a. "Snouters".
Average height: 90 cm
Tail length: Impressively, up to 3.6 meters when fully inflated.
Nose-walker: This fancy-looking creature possesses two pairs of elongated, tentacle-like noses (the modified nasarium organ, characteristic of all Snouters) protruding from its face; which are used for locomotion.
Inflatable tail: Its boneless hollow tail is both inflatable and dexterous, being primarily used for both manipulating food and communicating with others.
Arms are relatively long and slender.
Legs are severely atrophied.

Marsupial: Newborn Nasobemes are carried in a marsupial pouch located near the adult's throat.
Tentacular snouts
- Controlled by extremely complex nasal musculature.
- Rigid and durable, thanks to the torpor generated by the corpora spongiosa.
- Highly-developed internal air passages create a sophisticated pneumatic system, giving it flexibility and resilience.
Expanded tear ducts are used for breathing.
Inflatable hollow tail
- Prehensile: used to collect fruits from tree branches and bushes; as well as to grab branches and swing over obstacles or away from predators.
- Can be inflated or deflated by gases produced by the animal's digestive metabolism; making it both lightweight and versatile.
Acute eyesight

Island or coastal habitat: inhabits the forests of the Hy-yi-yi archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean.
- Since the islands have been destroyed by atomic tests, it's likely that the species has become extinct.
- It should be noted that this animal's earliest known mention in European literature comes from a 1905 poem by Christian Morgenstern, which predates the official discovery of the islands by 36 years: a fact that has puzzled researchers.

Herbivore: Specifically, they are frugivorous.
Social: Nasobemes live in small groups.
Diurnal: This species is mostly active during the day.
Docile and unafraid of humans.
Monogamous: They mate for life.
K-strategist: Nasobeme mothers will typically bear a single offspring per year.
Intelligent: Research proves that these creatures are capable of fairly advanced insight and reflection.

The Predatory Nasobeme (Tyrannonasus imperator) is a similar species that evolved from frugivorous to carnivorous and now preys on its fellow nose-walkers.

Das Nasobēm, by Christian Morgenstern (1905)
Bau und Leben der Rhinogradentia, by Gerolf Steiner, a.k.a. "Harald Stümpke" (1957)