A
snout is the protruding portion of an animal's face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw. In many animals the equivalent structure is called a muzzle,
rostrum or
proboscis. The wet, naked surface around the nostrils of the nose is known as the
rhinarium (colloquially this is the "cold wet nose" of some animals). The rhinarium is often associated with a stronger sense of
olfaction. The snout is considered a weak point on most animals: because of its structure, an animal can be easily stunned, snapped or even knocked out by applying sufficient force.