How Are Skunks Able To Spray Such A Foul-Smelling Substance? | Animal Control Experts

How Are Skunks Able To Spray Such A Foul-Smelling Substance? | Animal Control Experts

37447419 – close up image of a young skunk walking toward the camera.

To anybody who has ever learned what skunk-spray smells like then I am sorry, I have heard that the smell is pretty terrible. Unfortunately, for most people, skunks are often found dwelling near human territory. Because humans and skunks pretty much share the same backyard, encounters between the two are not uncommon, but most of the time either party does not appreciate such meetings.

It turns out that what makes skunk-spray so smelly is the odor of sulfur that is contained within a skunk’s spray. A chemical compound known as thiol is, to be precise, the exact substance that makes you want to pass out after smelling it. Thiol is composed of hydrogen and sulfur. Not only is thiol found in skunk-spray, but this compound is also contained within other smelly objects, such as onions, garlic, feces and even rotting flesh—I think this covers every putrid smell that exists. However, it must be noted that the particular thiols that are contained in skunk spray are particularly volatile to the human senses.

Skunks will spray their enemies with such force that the distressed skunks become temporarily blind as a result of the forced effort. If you have ever been sprayed by an angry skunk then you must know how hard it is to remove the smell from your body, your clothes and even your belongings. Skunk-spray is composed in such a way that applying water to the spray will only release more of the same chemicals causing the egregious odor. In case you do ever find yourself covered in skunk spray, or you are incredibly unlucky and you happen to get sprayed again, then avoid applying water in order to remove the smell. Instead of using water to wash away skunk-musk use hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda. This particular concoction will kill the foul smelling thiols that would otherwise stick around on your body for days.

Have you ever been sprayed by a skunk? If you have, then what did you use to remove the skunks sent, if anything?