The pseudonym "Harald Stümpke" was a play on naturalist names. The book was so convincing that some readers initially believed the Rhinogrades were real. Steiner maintained the hoax for years, even giving lectures "about" the animals.

In the annals of scientific literature, few books blur the line between rigorous biology and playful fiction as masterfully as The Snouters: Form and Life of the Rhinogrades . Written by German zoologist Gerolf Steiner under the pseudonym Harald Stümpke, this "monograph" describes the taxonomy, anatomy, behavior, and tragic extinction of the Rhinogradentia —a hypothetical order of mammals whose noses have evolved into a bewildering array of locomotive, prehensile, and weaponized appendages.

The Rhinogrades have a complex life cycle, which involves a range of developmental stages. They are viviparous, with females giving birth to small litters of young after a gestation period of several months. The young Rhinogrades are born with their eyes closed and their snouts still developing, but they rapidly mature and begin to venture out of their nests within a few weeks of birth.

In addition to their distinctive snouts, the Rhinogrades have a range of other physical characteristics that set them apart from other mammals. They have large, rounded ears, which are highly mobile and play a crucial role in their ability to detect and locate prey. Their eyes are relatively small, but are highly sensitive to movement and changes in light levels. The Rhinogrades also have powerful hind legs, which they use to move rapidly and efficiently through their environments.