Nose amplifies threatening call: proboscis monkey

1 of 1 Proboscis monkeys / Frank Wouter.. / License

The nose of the male proboscis monkey amplifies its threatening call by serving as a resonating chamber.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Send signals >
	Sound

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Micro-devices for amplifying or dampening sound waves, amplification applications for hearing aids, wireless device signal amplification.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"A large mobile nose, like that of the elephant, may also be known as a proboscis: hence the name of the proboscis monkey, a curious-looking primate, the male of which has a long bulbous nose that hangs over his mouth. This kind of nose is used as a resonating chamber, and is erected to amplify the male's threatening call through the forest canopy of Borneo." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:136)

About the inspiring organism

proboscis monkey
Nasalis larvatus (Wurmb, 1787)

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
Habitat(s): Forest

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Micro-devices for amplifying or dampening sound waves, amplification applications for hearing aids, wireless device signal amplification.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Communications, acoustics, medical, entertainment

References

Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.

Nose amplifies threatening call: proboscis monkey

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