Many animals rely on their potent natural odour for defense, marking territory, to attract a mate, or communication. From the smell of rotten eggs to a stench that can be smelled a mile away and a reptile bird that chews on decaying bacteria – if that isn't enough to make your eyes water, here are some of the stinkiest animals on the planet.
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Smelliest animals in the world
Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Arguably the most infamous, skunks spray a sulfur-based chemical from glands near their tail that smells like a noxious mix of rotten eggs, garlic, and burnt rubber. The odor can linger for days and is detectable from over a mile away. To make matters worse, it is difficult to wash off.
Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)
True to its name, this small insect, aptly named the stink bug, releases a foul-smelling, bitter liquid when threatened, often described as a blend of cilantro and rancid almonds mixed with decay. It's a natural chemical deterrent against predators.
Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
These carnivorous marsupials from Australia aren’t just famous for their ferocity—they’re also notoriously smelly. When threatened or stressed, Tasmanian devils emit a foul, musky odor from their scent glands, which adds to their menacing reputation. Their putrid breath, caused by a diet of rotting meat, doesn't help either.
Stink bird or hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)
Native to the Amazon rainforest, this fascinating bird gives off a manure-like smell due to the fermentation of leaves in its enlarged gut, similar to a cow’s digestion process. It’s one of the few birds with such a stinky signature.
Striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus)
Also known as the zorilla, the striped polecat is an African relative of the skunk. It sprays a noxious substance from its anal glands that smells even worse than a skunk’s, with a sulfurous, eye-watering stench that can cause temporary blindness in predators.
Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla)
Nicknamed the "stink bear," this Central and South American tree-dweller gives off a powerful odor, likened to rancid onions and sweaty gym socks. The smell comes from glands near its tail and can be detected from several metres away.
Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus)
Musk oxen produce a powerful, musky scent from their preputial glands, especially during mating season, to mark territory and attract mates. The smell can linger in the air and on their fur.
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Despite their ferocious reputation, wolverines are also known for their overpowering musk. Secreted from anal scent glands, this musky odor is used to mark territory and deter rivals, but it also adds to the wolverine’s reputation as one of nature’s most formidable and unpleasant-smelling animals.
Bombardier Beetle (Brachininae)
One of nature’s most impressive chemical warriors, the bombardier beetle defends itself by ejecting a hot, noxious spray of chemicals from its abdomen. The spray reaches nearly 100°C and smells like burnt chemicals, which is enough to deter or injure predators.