William Wood of Humboldt State University examined the chemical properties of skunk spray samples.

As its name implies, it has a star for a nose -- specifically, a snout made up of 22 fleshy tentacles, that form a fleshy, circular star. And with that star, says biologist Kenneth Catania of Vanderbilt University, the little mole can do some remarkable things.

The star-nosed mole's snout allows it to hunt 14 times faster than its competition.

Often called a nose with a dog attached, the bloodhound is so adept at scent tracking its trailing results is admissible evidence in a court of law.

Set aside the 22 fleshy pink tentacles that form the "star" on the nose of this mole, and it remains an odd-looking creature.