In the grand diversity of the animal kingdom, nature has sculpted an array of fascinating features to help creatures survive and thrive in their unique environments. Some animals have sharp claws, some have powerful limbs, but few are as captivating as those with long, distinctive faces.
This unique facial structure isn’t just for show—it serves a myriad of purposes, from feeding to communication. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of long-faced animals and discover what makes them so special.
11 Amazing Animals With Long Faces
Horse
- Scientific Name: Equus ferus caballus
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Originally native to Europe and Asia; now domesticated and found worldwide.
The horse, with its majestic grace, is one of the most beloved animals around the globe. Horses have been intertwined with human history for thousands of years, serving as transportation, companions, and even warriors in battle.
Their elongated faces, complete with a robust jaw and sensitive lips, allow them to graze efficiently, plucking grasses and herbs from the ground. The length and structure of their face also play a role in their complex social communication, helping them express a range of emotions to their herd members.
Did you know? Ancient horses were much smaller than today’s horses and had multiple toes. It’s through evolution and domestication that they’ve grown in size and now have a single hoof.
Giraffe
- Scientific Name: Giraffa camelopardalis
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Standing tall with unparalleled elegance, the giraffe is nature’s skyscraper. They’re not only the tallest mammals on Earth, but their long necks and equally lengthy faces make them one of the most unique looking.
Their elongated faces, paired with a 45cm long prehensile tongue, allow them to reach and strip leaves from tree branches, avoiding competition with shorter herbivores. Their long faces also house large eyes, offering them a panoramic view of the savanna, a handy feature to spot predators from afar.
Did you know? Despite their long necks, giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans: seven!
Elephant
- Scientific Name: Elephas maximus (Asian Elephant) and Loxodonta africana (African Elephant)
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Asia (for Asian Elephants) and Africa (for African Elephants).
The magnificent elephant, with its towering stature and wise demeanor, is an embodiment of strength and intelligence. Elephants, both in Africa and Asia, are revered and respected, playing significant roles in the cultures they coexist with. Their long faces not only support the weight of their iconic tusks but also facilitate the muscles and flexibility of their trunks.
This multi-functional trunk acts as a hand, a straw, a horn, and even a signaling device. An elephant’s face, with its expressive eyes and flapping ears, can convey a world of emotions—from joy and playfulness to aggression and warning.
Did you know? An elephant’s trunk has more than 40,000 muscles, while the entire human body has around 650!
Anteater
- Scientific Name: Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Giant Anteater)
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Central and South America.
The enigmatic anteater, with its shaggy appearance and unusual proportions, is a master of adaptation. Its name gives away its primary diet—ants and termites.
The anteater’s long face isn’t just for show—it’s an evolution-driven tool. With no teeth, the anteater relies on its elongated snout to house a sticky, 2-foot-long tongue that can flick in and out up to 150 times per minute during feeding. This long face, combined with sharp claws, allows it to break into termite mounds and anthills and then feast on the inhabitants.
Did you know? The giant anteater’s tongue can stretch longer than its own skull. It’s coated in sticky saliva to help collect up to 30,000 insects per day!
Camel
- Scientific Name: Camelus dromedarius (Dromedary or Arabian camel) and Camelus bactrianus (Bactrian camel)
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Deserts of Northern Africa and Western Asia (Dromedary); Central Asia (Bactrian).
The iconic camel, often dubbed the ‘Ship of the Desert,’ is a symbol of endurance and tenacity. With their humped backs and long faces, camels are specially adapted to the harsh environments they call home. The camel’s long face serves multiple purposes.
Their nostrils can close to keep out blowing sand, and their mouth is lined with a tough leathery lining so they can chew thorny desert plants. Their long eyelashes and ear hairs also provide protection against sand.
Did you know? When camels drink water, they can consume up to 40 gallons in one go! This helps them rehydrate after long periods without water.
Crocodile
- Scientific Name: Crocodylinae (a subfamily that encompasses true crocodiles)
- Type of Animal: Reptile
- Where Found: Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.
The prehistoric-looking crocodile is a true testament to evolutionary success, with a lineage dating back more than 200 million years. Their streamlined bodies and powerful tails are impressive, but it’s their elongated snouts that truly set them apart.
This long face houses numerous sharp teeth and a sophisticated set of sensory organs that detect vibrations in the water, helping them locate and ambush prey. Depending on the species, the snout’s shape can also indicate diet, with broader snouts for harder prey and narrower ones for fish.
Did you know? Crocodiles have a very high bite force, with some species like the saltwater crocodile able to exert a pressure of more than 3,700 pounds per square inch (psi)!
Tapir
- Scientific Name: Tapirus spp.
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Rainforests of Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.
The tapir, with its stout body and unique prehensile snout, is one of the most ancient mammals on Earth. Resembling a cross between a pig and an elephant, tapirs play an essential role in shaping their environment.
Their elongated snout is flexible and can be moved in all directions. It’s used to pluck leaves, shoots, and fruits from trees and shrubs. Tapirs are often called the “gardeners of the forest” because they help in seed dispersal, ensuring the growth of new plants.
Did you know? Tapirs are excellent swimmers and divers. They often use water as a refuge from predators and to help cool off in hot weather.
Coati
- Scientific Name: Nasua spp.
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Americas – from the southwestern U.S. through Central America to South America.
Coatis, also known as coatimundis, are lively and versatile members of the raccoon family. Their elongated snouts set them apart, making them easily recognizable. These snouts are highly flexible and filled with sharp teeth, making them adept at both catching small prey and foraging for fruit.
Highly social creatures, coatis can often be seen with their tails raised, communicating, and navigating in groups as they rummage through the forests and grasslands.
Did you know? When foraging, coatis rotate their ankles 180 degrees, allowing them to descend trees headfirst with ease.
Greyhound
- Scientific Name: Canis lupus familiaris
- Type of Animal: Mammal (Dog Breed)
- Where Found: Originally from the Middle East and North Africa; now domesticated worldwide.
The elegant greyhound, with its slender build and aerodynamic face, is the epitome of speed and grace in the canine world. Bred for chasing game and later for racing, their long faces provide them with a larger intake of air, which is vital for their high-speed pursuits.
These dogs, while renowned for their athleticism, are often just as content lounging on a couch and being pampered by their human companions.
Did you know? Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, making them one of the fastest dog breeds in the world!
Llama and Alpaca
- Scientific Name: Lama glama (Llama) and Vicugna pacos (Alpaca)
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Originally from South America; now domesticated in various parts of the world.
Llamas and alpacas, the charming and woolly residents of the Andean highlands, have been invaluable to the cultures of South America for millennia. Their long faces, paired with their expressive eyes and unique vocalizations, often endear them to those who encounter them.
While both are used for their wool, llamas have historically been beasts of burden, carrying goods across challenging terrains, while alpacas are primarily raised for their soft and luxurious fleece.
Did you know? Llamas and alpacas communicate using a series of hums, and they also have a unique way of settling disputes: spitting!
Wildebeest
- Scientific Name: Connochaetes gnou, C. taurinus
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Where Found: Plains and open woodlands of Central, East, and Southern Africa.
The Wildebeest, also known as the gnu, is a notable figure on the African savannah, with its long face, sharp horns, and muscular build. This antelope species displays two main types: the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest.
Their elongated muzzles are specially adapted for grazing, allowing them to bite close to the ground, consuming short grasses that other grazers might miss. They are most famous for their annual migration, one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events, where they travel in vast herds in search of fresh pastures.
Did you know? The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. During this event, over two million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, migrate between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya, braving predators and treacherous river crossings.
Why Do Some Animals Have a Long Face?
Nature, in its branches of evolution, crafts every creature with purpose and precision. An animal’s physical attributes, from the colors of its fur to the length of its limbs, often serve specific functional or adaptive purposes. Long faces in animals are no exception. This distinct feature has evolved in various species for an array of reasons.
For some, like the anteater, an extended snout is crucial for reaching into tight spaces to extract food, while for others, like the camel, a lengthy face helps in navigating and consuming rough vegetation in their harsh habitats.
The elongated faces of crocodiles, meanwhile, are specialized tools for ambushing prey in aquatic environments, housing sensors that detect the slightest movement.
Furthermore, these elongated facial structures can sometimes aid in social interactions, mating displays, or even thermoregulation. As with many wonders of the animal kingdom, the reasons are diverse and often intertwined, showcasing nature’s boundless creativity and the never-ending quest for survival and adaptation.
