# Why do road-killed skunks always stink?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-road-killed-skunks-always-stink/127880>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 11, 2002, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-road-killed-skunks-always-stink/127880 "2002-09-11T00:25:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-road-killed-skunks-always-stink/127880/1 "2002-09-11T00:25:05Z")

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When you see a road-killed skunk by the side of the road, it **always stinks**. Why is this? Is it because (a) the skunk becomes frightens and squirts in the last moment before it dies; or (b) because the force of the fatal collision ruptures open the “stink sac”? Is there anyone with experience in skunk veterinary care or dead animal removal that can shed any light on this?

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**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-road-killed-skunks-always-stink/127880/2 "2002-09-11T01:32:56Z")

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When you die you will likely urinate and defecate as your bowels relax - same with any animal, really. With skunks the scent glands relax, as well.