Skunks are nocturnal animals that prefer to keep to themselves. However, when they sense danger, this lurking purveyor of biochemical warfare unleashes its primary defense mechanism: a nasty-smelling spray. Similar to tear gas, the scent is so strong it can cause your eyes to start dripping and make you throw up. This week on Reactions, get ready for some stinking chemistry as we take a closer look at the compounds that give skunk spray its horrendous odor.
0:28 – What is skunk spray
1:00 – Skunks tell you when they’re going to spray
1:15 – How far can skunks spray
1:29 – Why is skunk spray so strong
2:25 – What to do if you or your dog gets sprayed by a skunk
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Credits:
Producer: Kirk Zameiroski
Writer: Kirk Zameiroski & Emma Hiolski
Scientific Consultants: Michelle Boucher, PhD Brianne Raccor, PhD William Wood, PhD Ted Stankowich, PhD
Executive Producer: George Zaidan
Music:
Sam Leopard – To The Point
“wah-not” from audio micro
Sources:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226187051_The_History_of_Skunk_Defensive_Secretion_Research
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11018910_Volatile_Components_in_Defensive_Spray_of_the_Hooded_Skunk_Mephitis_macroura
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258829412_New_components_in_defensive_secretion_of_the_striped_skunkMephitis_mephitis
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258823487_Volatile_components_in_defensive_spray_of_the_spotted_skunkSpilogale_putorius
https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/7b9179c0-34e1-4b34-8309-145a71f238fe/resource/c20c0e5e-299b-4b87-810d-363d3be92642/download/2016-agri-facts-biology-and-control-of-skunks-agdex-684-5-revised-december-2016.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/William_Wood6/publication/264121808_Why_Skunks_Smell_So_Bad/links/53f6b25e0cf2fceacc74d1e3/Why-Skunks-Smell-So-Bad.pdf
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