How Does a Skunk Spray?
What’s in the spray Skunks’ spray contains a chemical, more specifically, N- bulymercaptan, which is a compound of carbon, hydrogen and sulfur. The stinky smell comes from the sulfur, the same element that gives rotten eggs and geysers their stench. Skunks produce and store this yellow liquid in glands under their tails until they need to release it. Its oily consistency helps it stick to whomever or whatever they target. Releasing the spray When a skunk feels threatened it can release its spray from nipples on the outside of its anal glands and send it toward a target as far as 15 feet away. Muscles next to the glands help greatly with distance and accuracy. If the skunk can’t see exactly where the threat is, it releases a cloud of spray in a fan-like shape. However, if it has a good idea of where the enemy is it aims the spray right at the face, with great odds for a direct hit. The spray then not only smells terrible but can temporarily blind the attacker. Limitations Since the skun
