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Opossums do not spray........You are correct, it was opossum spray...
Is the smell of opossum spray similar to the smell of skunks?
Opossums and skunks are both known for their ability to produce a strong-smelling spray as a means of defense. While the smell of opossum spray may be somewhat similar to that of skunks, there are a few key differences that can help distinguish between the two.
First and foremost, opossum spray is generally not as pungent as skunk spray. Skunk spray contains sulfur compounds, such as thiols, which are responsible for its distinctive and overwhelming odor. Opossum spray, on the other hand, does not contain as high of a concentration of these sulfur compounds, resulting in a less potent smell.
Another difference lies in the overall composition of the sprays. Skunk spray contains a mixture of chemicals, including the previously mentioned thiols, as well as various other sulfur-based compounds. Opossum spray, on the other hand, primarily contains a compound called Z-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate, which is unique to opossums. This compound is responsible for the characteristic scent associated with opossum spray.
In terms of smell, while both opossum and skunk spray can be described as musky or foul, skunk spray is often described as having a stronger, more pungent odor. Skunk spray has been likened to the smell of burning rubber or rotten eggs, while opossum spray has been compared to the scent of a decomposing carcass or stale urine.
Do Opossum Spray Smell Like Skunks? Unveiling The Truth About Their Odorous Defense Mechanism | PetShun
Find out if opossums spray smells like skunks. Discover the truth about their unique yet odorous defense mechanism in this enlightening article.petshun.com
American opossums do not "spray" a focused, powerful jet of noxious fluid like a skunk does.
However, opossums do use a strong, unpleasant odor as a defense mechanism:
- The Smell: When an American opossum (specifically the Virginia opossum) feels extremely threatened or is "playing possum" (an involuntary state of shock), it will excrete a foul-smelling, often yellowish or greenish fluid from its anal glands.
- The Purpose: This odor is meant to mimic the smell of a decaying corpse. This makes the opossum an unappetizing meal for predators, many of whom prefer to only eat animals they have killed themselves.
- The Difference: A skunk's spray is a voluntary, accurate, and high-volume defense weapon it uses before a physical confrontation. An opossum's foul odor is a fluid excretion that is part of its playing dead response, which is a last-resort, involuntary, catatonic state. It's a localized, passive deterrent rather than an active, targeted spray.
therefore your dogs would not get "sprayed", when they play dead they let out and an odor that smells like they are dead
pretty damn good I'd say......
