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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"39905","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. Can you smell that? It’s a skunk. PuuuuuWee! If you’ve ever gotten a whiff of a skunk’s pungent odor, we don’t need to tell you how repelling it can be. But why do skunks stink so badly, you ask? We explain with help from National Geographic and Wonderopolis.
That stinky skunk smell that makes you pinch your nose and hold your breath isn’t actually the skunk. It’s the skunk’s defense mechanism–its spray.
When a skunk feels threatened by a predator–wolf, fox, badger … or even human–it turns around and releases an oily spray from the glands located underneath its tail.
According to Wonderopolis, the spray is made up of sulfur compounds called thiols. While these compounds don’t cause any real damage, they can cause headaches and burning or stinging in the eyes. Most importantly, the spray’s horrible stench will send a skunk’s predator, even a large bear, running in the opposite direction.
But because a skunk’s spray glands can only hold enough spray for five or six strikes, the black-and-white striped animal will often try hissing or stomping its feet to scare away an attacker first. If you ever are unfortunate enough to have a skunk hiss or stomp at you, step back and look out! National Geographic states that a skunk’s mist can travel as far as 10 feet.
Looking for more Never Stop Asking "Why?" questions? Catch up on all of the past "Whys" on Pinterest or on the blog!
