Can a Vertebrate have an Assassin bug-like Proboscis?

One of the strangest and most effective weapons in the wonderful world of arthropods in the proboscis of the famed assassin bug, with even the head of the insect working as part of the weapon.

The "bite" of an assassin bug is a four step method. First, the bug impales the exoskeleton of its prey with its proboscis. They will then inject a venom that paralyzes the victim instantly before pumping it full of digestive fluids. Finally, the bug sucks up its meal.

This is obviously terrifying, it's the equivalent of a war pick on the face of an insect. Rather, it would be terrifying if it were even a slight threat. The problem here is their size. If they were larger, they would be a major threat, but alas, the square root law destroys this dream.

But, what if we just take the feature we want? Is it possible for a vertebrate to have a mouth in the style of the assassin bug? If so, how big can it become? If not, how close can we get?

posted almost 7 years ago

Uncle Tres‭

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