There are many animals in the world that people would like to avoid encounters with. Skunk is one of them. However, it should be noted that by nature, skunks are quite friendly and kind creatures. They are in excellent contact with people, can quickly become pets and pets. If, of course, not one "BUT". Their smell. What does a skunk smell like and why? Many people ask this question. Let's try to develop what's what.
Varieties of skunks. Habitat
There are currently three types of skunks. They all live in America. Someone in the South, someone in the North, another species - in the Central. Skunks differ in appearance, hence the name of the species. The striped skunk has characteristic stripes on its back. There are also spotted and spotted animals. What does a skunk smell like? Each species smells exactly the same, as experts note.
Skunk is a peaceful creature
However, you should not think that as soon as you approach the skunk, he will give you a poisonous stream. These animals are quite peaceful, only in case of danger they will resort to extreme measures. Before the poisonous “flash”, the skunk raises its tail, stamps its feet. You will probably have time to escape, the main thing is to follow the behavior of the animal.
The skunk's fetid fluid is located in the glands located under the tail. There are two of them. In case of danger, a skunk can use one jet, and can release five or six “ammunition” at once to the offender. In this case, the jet can reach a distance of up to three meters.
The danger of caustic secret
The secret secreted by skunks is a rather caustic and hazardous substance. What does a skunk smell like? In most cases, it is compared with the smell of sulfur, since the secret of the animal consists of sulfur-organic compounds. Ethantiol and butyl mercaptan are its main components. These substances not only smell very bad, but also differ in toxicity. From their exposure, your head can easily spin. People who are too susceptible to pungent odors can generally faint. Substances in the composition of the secret act as tear gas. They can also cause nausea, vomiting and lacrimation.
What do skunks smell like?
So many people who have never encountered these animals, but only heard about their abilities, always want to know what resembles the smell of a skunk. Each person, it should be noted, the answer will be completely different. Basically, of course, the answer will be - sulfur. Hydrogen sulfide, which is part of the secretion compounds, gives a clear smell that you will not confuse with anything.
But there are other answers to the question of what the skunk smells like. Someone compares the smell of the secret of this animal with the smell of a rotten egg (again, hydrogen sulfide, but in a common form). Some say that the “incense” of a skunk resembles the smell of burnt rubber or rotten garlic. There are even those who say that a skunk smells like decaying flesh and spoiled meat.
There are a lot of options for associations associated with the smell of a skunk. And if you ask people living in America who quite often come in contact with these animals about the smell of a skunk as it is, analogues of other animals exist or not, they will certainly answer unequivocally: no. There are many animals in nature that have an unpleasant odor - bugs, bugs, birds. But there are no analogues, as unpleasant as a skunk, no one has a pungent and vile smell.
How to get rid of the smell of a skunk
The secret given off by skunks not only smells pungent and “deadly”, but is also a very persistent substance if it gets on clothes. The substance is completely inconspicuous in its color, but its smell ... We have already figured out what the skunk smells like. Now imagine such a “fragrance” on your clothes. Withdrawing it is almost impossible.
Traditionally, it was believed that tomatoes are good for removing the “flavor” of a skunk. Yes, it was the tomatoes that were often used by the Americans to wash things that hit the jet. However, after several washings, if the item was still wearable, it acquired a persistent tomato smell. Some argue that the smell was rotten tomatoes, which is even "better."
Thanks to the modern industry that produces household chemicals and detergents, removing the smell from clothes has become much easier and easier. You can use chlorine bleach, which not only corrodes the secret well, but also eliminates the pungent odor of clothing. But there will be some problems with rinsing. The smell of bleach, as you know, will also be called unpleasant by many, and they will not choose this method.
Another option is hydrogen peroxide. Experts call this method optimal. And traces of secretions are removed from the tissue quickly, and the smell disappears completely. Plus hydrogen peroxide - the absence of a pungent odor, like chlorine, as well as ease in rinsing.
I must say, skunks are very beautiful, fluffy and good-natured animals. Going to the zoo or heading to America to admire them is definitely worth it. But remember that observing the “fragrant" beauty is better from afar.