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The 11 stinkiest animals in the world, you may never have heard of the first one!

2025-06-03 14:53:51 14

In nature, some animals win by speed, some survive by camouflage, but did you know? There is another type of animal that uses "stink" to deter enemies! These "natural stink bombs" do not rely on sharp claws and fangs, but can successfully protect themselves with their smell. Don't believe it? Here are 11 of the world's stinkiest animals, all of which have "extraordinary smells"!

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1. Hoatzin

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Don't be fooled by its colorful feathers, it is actually a "walking fermentation tank"! Hoatzin is the only bird that digests plants by "regurgitation". Bacteria in the forestomach decompose and ferment food, giving off a feces-like smell. In some parts of South America, people even call it "the last survival food" - no one wants to eat it.


2. Southern Tamandua

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Don't underestimate this silly-looking little guy. Once in danger, it will release a skunk-like stench from its tail, causing predators to flee. What's more terrifying is that it has strong claws and a prehensile tail, which even jaguars have to think twice about.


3. Bombardier Beetle

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This "chemical maniac" has his own laboratory and stores two chemical substances in his body. When encountering an enemy, they are mixed and sprayed at high temperature instantly, releasing a foul-smelling chemical cloud, which is lethal to small insects and humans have to retreat after smelling it.


4. Wolverine

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Don’t be fooled by the movie “Wolverine”. The real wolverine is actually a relative of the skunk! This guy not only has a strong smell, but also has a bad temper. It mainly uses the smell to mark its territory and also uses it to attract mates. No wonder it is called the “stinky panda” or the “king of stench”.


5. King Ratsnake

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This is a common snake in Asia, also known as the "stinky snake". When it encounters a threat, it will quickly release anal gland secretions, which will stink. Don't be fooled by its stench, it is an expert at catching snakes and dares to eat even cobras.


6. Hoopoe

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This bird is common in Africa and Eurasia. The mother bird will smear a carrion-smelling grease all over its feathers while incubating eggs, and the young birds will spray feces to "remotely attack" the enemy. Want to keep it as a pet? Think again.


7. Tasmanian Devil

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Tasmanian devil is also calledTasmanian devil. Although the name contains "devil", its weapon is not fangs but stench! The stench it releases when nervous can scare off predators, and with its screaming howl, it is definitely not an "Australian lunatic" that is easy to mess with.


8. Striped Polecat

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The African version of the skunk, with a super stink bomb attack skill. When encountering an enemy, it will take a "threatening posture": arch its back, raise its tail, and then shoot a stink liquid directly into the enemy's eyes, a sure hit!


9. Musk Ox

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During the estrus period in summer every year, male musk oxen secrete a strong odor from their eye glands and rub it on their hair to attract females. The problem is that the smell is really too strong, just like entering a football player's locker room, suffocating.


10. Skunk

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Speaking of smelly animals, how can we not mention skunks? Its signature odor spray is precise and long-lasting, hitting the target directly and repelling the enemy in one spray. The odor that cannot be washed off requires the "stinky trio" of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and detergent to barely neutralize it.


11. Sea Hare

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The "smoke bomb expert" in the ocean, sprays purple irritating liquid when encountering an enemy, making predators dizzy. Although it is slippery and a bit poisonous, in some coastal areas of China, sea hares are "heavy-tasting delicacies" on the table!


Conclusion: Only by stinking can one survive!

These animals may seem "heavy", but they show the unique evolutionary wisdom in nature. Perhaps it is a stink that humans cannot avoid, but for them it is a talisman, a magic weapon for them to fight against the environment and successfully reproduce.


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animal tags: stinkiest animal