Snuffleupaguses Snuffleupaguses ( sometimes written as Snuffleupagi ) are furry , pachyderm - like mammals native to the world of " Sesame Street " . The most famous Snuffleupagus is known as Mr . Snuffleupagus , or Snuffy , although his full name is Aloysius Snuffleupagus . Physical features . A Snuffleupagus has a large proboscis , similar to an elephant ' s trunk , called a " snuffle . " The snuffle is a Snuffleupagus ' most important and versatile appendage . It is used for lifting small items , feeding , hugging , quick - blow - drying , waving , performing puppets , playing musical instruments and conducting musical arrangements . However , as Snuffy learned in Episode 3806 , a snuffle cannot be used to communicate in American Sign Language . Although somewhat similar in appearance , a Snuffleupagus is " not an elephant . " Snuffleupaguses are a distinct species , although they are sometimes confused with elephants . At first glance , the Snuffleupagus somewhat resembles a woolly mammoth , although Snuffleupaguses lack tusks and ( visible ) ears , they have shorter legs , causing them to ride lower to the ground and their feet are much larger . Snuffleupaguses are covered with brown fur ; a younger Snuffleupagus ' fur is usually lighter in color . A Snuffleupagus also has long eyelashes that protect its large eyes . Lifestyle and traditions . Snuffleupaguses are primarily herbivores and are very fond of cabbage , spaghetti , green moss , cole - slaw , and moss - cream cupcakes . Snuffleupaguses are indigenous to Hawaii , although groups have been known to migrate as far as Ohio and New York . Native Hawaiians often tell the legend of Mount Ihu Papa ' a Lo ' ihi Nui , also known as Mount Snuffleupagus . Snuffleupaguses live in family groups and make their homes in caves . Members of the extended family are known to live in separate caves that are connected to the rest of the family through tunnels . The Snuffleupaguses bathe in streams that run through parts of the caves . They can sleep lying down , like a horse ( ) , or in chairs as a human or a dog ( ) . Snuffleupagus children attend Snufflegarten to further their education . Whereas adult Snuffleupaguses are commonly seen wearing clothing ( such as suits , hats , dresses and coats ) , the children are usually unclothed . Girls will occasionally wear a bow or other hair dressing , and in cold weather , a scarf and hat may be worn for warmth . Youthful Snuffleupaguses engage in many recreational activities . Popular activities include snuffle - puppet performances , doing the hula , standing in for Santa Claus in scientific experiments and even pretending to be a cloud . " The Snuffle Shuffle " is a traditional dance , which can be performed by both natives and non - Snuffleupaguses alike . Early sightings . Audiences were first introduced to a Snuffleupagus in 1971 , when Snuffy first appeared on " Sesame Street " ( episode 0276 ) . For more than a decade , Snuffy was the only Snuffleupagus to appear on Sesame Street , and the creatures were thought by many adults to be nothing more than a myth or concoction of a big bird ' s hyperactive imagination . The exception was Uncle Wally , who claimed to be very familiar with the species from encounters over the course of his travels . When Dr . Nobel Price encountered Snuffy ' s cousin Abigail in 1983 ( episode 1800 ) , he thought he had discovered a new species and mistakenly christened her a " Shagaphant . " However , the existence of the first recorded Snuffleupagus discovery was reported by Phil Donahue from Sesame Street on November 18 , 1985 ( episode 2096 ) . In the years since , more members of the Snuffleupagus species have appeared on the show , including Mommy Snuffleupagus , Alice Snuffleupagus , and Rosalyn . Several additional Snuffleupaguses have appeared exclusively in illustrated form in " Sesame Street " books . Spelling Snuffleupagus . Though the species is usually spelled " Snuffleupagus " , the word has occasionally been misspelled with a hyphen , as " Snuffle - upagus " - - including the credits for " Don ' t Eat the Pictures " , and in a few " Sesame Street " books . It has most often been spelled " Snuffleupagus " , in productions such as " Follow That Bird " ( on Snuffy ' s mailbox , the postcard he sent to Big Bird , and the credits ) and in " Sesame Street Unpaved " . Many licensees , closed - captioners , and websites misspell the word . Even the official Jim Henson Company website erred , spelling the name " Snuffulupagus " . The plural of Snuffleupagus is often written as " Snuffleupaguses " . This is documented in several sources , including a 1999 Sesame Street Beat newsletter ( " . . . you ' re probably wondering exactly what part of your comparatively normal life has anything to do with the unique Muppet universe filled with furry monsters , snuffleupaguses , and eight - foot - tall talking birds . . . " ) and in the lyrics of " The Snuffleupagus Polka " ( " There ' s a nifty little dance that Snuffleupaguses do . You may think it ' s not for you ; that simply isn ' t true " ) . However in his season 40 Muppetbook bio , Snuffy uses " Snuffleupagi " as the plual form of his species . Snuffy describes his pet peeve as " when people think that Snuffleupagi aren ' t real . " See also . _ _ NOWYSIWYG _ _