Loading summary
Child
Trainers. What is that?
Trusty (Narrator)
That's a Lego Pikachu.
Child
No, it's Lego Pikachu eating a sandwich. Smart brick turns Sandwich Smarttag into a perfect snack for your Lego Pokemon. Lego Pokemon. You're the trainer now.
Trusty (Narrator)
Hey, smarty pants. Trusty here and I want to tell you about something that's going to make bedtime way more fun. Koala Moon. You know how much we love learning cool stuff together. Well, Koala Moon is packed with original bedtime stories and sleep meditations that deliver amazing life lessons just in a way that helps you drift off to Dreamland. With over 700 stories featuring awesome characters like Coco the Koala and the Jupiter Twins, there's always something new to discover. Koala Moon has already helped improve over 50 million bedtimes. And I think it can help yours too. So ask a grown up to search Koala Moon on your favorite podcast app so you can try it tonight. And now it's time for WhoSmarted. Hey, smartypants. Trusty narrator here. As you can hear, it is a beautiful summer day here. In fact, I'm visiting some relatives down in sunny Florida. Of course, I always like to be a helpful house guest. So I came out here to collect the empty trash bins at the bottom of their driveway. That's right, just call me the trashy Narrator. Actually, don't call me that. I gotta say, this is one long and steep driveway. I didn't notice it when the Uber dropped me off last night. Shouldn't be a problem. Luckily, these trash cans have wheels. Okay, here we go. I just need to pick them up and away we go. Yep, this is no problem at all. Just rolling two huge trash bins up a long, steep driveway in the floor to eat. What could be better than this? Hold on. What's that smell? Did they forget to pick up the trash? Nope, the trash is gone. But that smell.
Child
Ugh.
Trusty (Narrator)
It's even worse than the smell of garbage. What could it be? Hold on. What was that sound? It sounds like something scratching with claws. And it's coming from inside the trash bin. Wait a sec. Scratchy sound, claws, super bad smell. Oh, boy. I think I know what's going on here. Do you, smarty pants? Let's play a quick mind reading game. Ready? Think of a wild animal that's about the size of a cat. You might be thinking of a bunny or a possum or a really big squirrel. Good. Now imagine a cat sized animal that has black and white fur. Some of you might be thinking of a penguin or a baby panda or a Dalmatian puppy. Good guesses. Now here's the kicker. Think of a cat sized animal with white and black fur that can produce a super stinky smell. Got it. Now I'm going to read your mind. You're thinking of a skunk right now. I'm willing to bet a large pepperoni pizza that there is a skunk inside one of these garbage cans. And since I already looked inside this can, it must be this one.
Stinker (Skunk)
Aha. Do you mind? I'm trying to finish my breakfast. Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.
Trusty (Narrator)
Ah, there's a skunk in the trash bin. What do I do? What do I do? I don't want to get sprayed with skunk juice.
Stinker (Skunk)
Hey, buddy, calm down out there. If I wanted to spray you, you'd already be sprayed. Besides, I'm just trying to finish off the rest of this tuna fish sandwich that got stuck to the side of the can.
Trusty (Narrator)
Uh, so what are you saying?
Stinker (Skunk)
I'm saying if you leave me alone, I'll leave you alone.
Trusty (Narrator)
Okay, so you promise not to spray me?
Stinker (Skunk)
I promise. As long as I can trust that you won't hurt me.
Trusty (Narrator)
Oh, no, I would never, ever hurt an animal. And you can trust me. After all, I'm the trusty narrator.
Stinker (Skunk)
I don't know if you have to tell people you're trusty. Can you really trust that person?
Trusty (Narrator)
Yes. You can trust me. What's your name?
Stinker (Skunk)
Stinker.
Trusty (Narrator)
But of course. And I see you too, live up to your name.
Stinker (Skunk)
Yeah, sorry about that. I heard footsteps coming and I let out a little defensive blast to let whoever it was know to stand back. This is my turf.
Trusty (Narrator)
Well, it's actually my uncle's garbage can.
Stinker (Skunk)
You know what I mean?
Child
Right.
Trusty (Narrator)
I didn't realize skunks were so territorial.
Stinker (Skunk)
Eh, I wouldn't say we're territorial in the traditional sense. We usually claim an area from half a mile to two miles for foraging, but we don't fiercely defend our boundaries. I just happen to really like tuna fish.
Trusty (Narrator)
Oh, so this is your surf and turf?
Stinker (Skunk)
Okay, I think I'm done eating. I'll be on my way.
Trusty (Narrator)
Wait, wait. Before you go, if you wouldn't mind, maybe you could help me and the smarty pants answer a few other questions about skunks.
Stinker (Skunk)
Wait, are you actually asking me to stay? Most people freak out when they see a skunk.
Trusty (Narrator)
Well, I'm not most people. Plus, you can talk, so not your typical skunk human interaction.
Stinker (Skunk)
Touche. What are your questions?
Trusty (Narrator)
Well, I'd love to know where do skunks Sleep.
Child
Sleep.
Trusty (Narrator)
What do skunks eat? Who are skunks? Predators?
Child
Meow.
Trusty (Narrator)
How are skunks able to make such a stinky spray?
Stinker (Skunk)
Ew.
Trusty (Narrator)
And is spraying skunk juice the only way skunks protect themselves?
Stinker (Skunk)
Sounds like you want to know all my smelly little secrets.
Trusty (Narrator)
That's right. It's time for a skunky whiff of science and history. On who smarted.
Child
Who's smarted? Who's smart?
Trusty (Narrator)
Is it you?
Stinker (Skunk)
Is it me?
Trusty (Narrator)
Is it science or history?
Child
Listen up, everyone.
Trusty (Narrator)
We make smarting lots of fun. On who's smart. And hang in there, smartypants. We'll get to all the smarting right after this quick ad break and a word from our sponsors. Hey, homeschool parents. It's August, and somewhere in your house, there's probably a stack of new curriculum, a fresh notebook, and a kid who's still on summertime. And you. You're the one who gets to decide how this year goes. That's the homeschool parent you already are. The one who starts strong. So here's how I'd start. Ixl. For so many of our writers and producers here at WhoSmarted, IXL has become learning home base. One place with personalized learning matched exactly to where your child is picking right back up where summer left off. In math, language arts, and more. From pre K on up, kids get instant explanations and little wins that keep them going. And you get clear reports showing real Progress from day one. Parents, this is your confidence. Over 15 million students use IXL, and it's proven to boost achievement in all 50 states. Who smarted? Listeners get an exclusive 20% off a membership when you sign up today@ixl.com smarted. That's ixl.com smarted for your exclusive 20% off. Start the year strong with IXL.
Child
Trainers. What is that?
Trusty (Narrator)
That's Lego Squirtle.
Child
No, it's Lego Squirtle on a buggy.
Trusty (Narrator)
Yay.
Child
Smart brick turns buggy smart tag into a joyride for your Lego Pokemon. Lego Pokemon. You're the trainer. Now,
Trusty (Narrator)
be honest. When's the last time the whole family was in the same room at the same time? Not everyone's scattered to their own screens in their own corners, but together having fun. Because that's what you really are underneath your busy weeks. A pack. Last month, I brought my whole pack to Great Wolf Lodge. Cousins, aunts, the works. And I went down every water slide until we all forgot to be cool. That indoor water park is always 84 degrees. Wave pool, lazy river slides, you ride together. But Great Wolf isn't a place you visit. It becomes your pack's home base for adventure. Magi Quest is sending you on a live action quest through the whole lodge, The Northern lights, arcade, dining options, nightly dance parties all under one roof, and parents. Here's the best part. There's no big planning, and you get to be the one who said yes. And with 22 lodges across the country, there's a good chance there's one just a short drive away. Book today@greatwolf.com that's greatwolf.com and strengthen the pack. Hey, smarty pants. Trusty here. And I want to tell you about something that's going to make bedtime way more fun. Koala Moon. You know how much we love learning cool stuff together. Well, Koala Moon is packed with original bedtime stories and sleep meditations that deliver amazing life lessons, just in a way that helps you drift off to Dreamland. With over 700 stories featuring awesome characters like Coco the Koala and the Jupiter Twins, there's always something new to discover. Koala Moon has already helped improve over 50 million bedtimes, and I think it can help yours, too. So ask a grown up to search Koala Moon on your favorite podcast app so you can try it tonight. Now back to who smarted? All right, stinker, if you don't mind, let's start with your smelly superpower. What is your spray made of?
Stinker (Skunk)
Of course, everyone always wants to know about the spray. First off, to be a little more accurate, it's actually referred to as our musk.
Trusty (Narrator)
Ooh.
Stinker (Skunk)
And it consists of an oily yellow liquid that's stored in two pouches called glands, located just under our tail.
Trusty (Narrator)
I see. And what's it made of, smarty pants? Do you know?
Child
Yep.
Trusty (Narrator)
Neither do I.
Stinker (Skunk)
Our musk primarily consists of chemical compounds called thiols, also known as mercaptans, which contain sulfur and are responsible for the notorious odor.
Trusty (Narrator)
Smartypants. True or false? Some foods you probably eat contain sulfur. The answer is true. For example, cruciferous and allium vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, garlic, and onion contain sulfur, as do beef, poultry, fish, eggs, cow's milk, and cheese all contain sulfur.
Stinker (Skunk)
Maybe I could teach you how to make a spray, Trusty.
Trusty (Narrator)
I think I'm good. Besides, humans already make enough stinky smells. But speaking of spray, the smell and the fear of getting sprayed by a skunk keeps humans away. But how does it work for other animals? I doubt they mind the smell.
Stinker (Skunk)
No, it's not the smell, but a good shot to the eyes of a predator. That does the trick. Plus, our spray can be quite irritating on their skin, too.
Trusty (Narrator)
Ah, that would do it. So, when you're not eating or spraying, where do skunks live? Smartypants? See if you can guess. Is it A, in their living rooms, B, in their kitchens, or C, in their dens?
Stinker (Skunk)
The answer is C dens. And that was a little bit of a trick question.
Trusty (Narrator)
That's true. A den can be a room in your house. But it's also what we call an area where animals rest and hide from predators.
Stinker (Skunk)
Depending on the season, skunks will use their sharp claws to burrow a hole in the ground, occupy a hollowed out section of a tree, or work our way into a rock pile.
Trusty (Narrator)
Oh, those all sound like great hiding places, for sure.
Stinker (Skunk)
During the warmer months, we lean towards dens that are above ground. And in the colder months, we typically set up shop below ground.
Trusty (Narrator)
Smartypants, true or false? Skunks hibernate during the winter. The answer is false.
Stinker (Skunk)
Instead, skunks enter what's called topir, which is a much shorter resting period that lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Trusty (Narrator)
Oh, wow. Well, if that's the case, then skunks have to rely on finding food all year round. Speaking of which, what do skunks eat? Do you know, smarty pants?
Child
Yep.
Trusty (Narrator)
Neither do I.
Stinker (Skunk)
While we do enjoy the occasional scraps we find in trash cans, Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. Skunks can't survive on human leftovers alone. Instead, we prefer snacking on crunchy crickets, juicy, slimy worms, or yummy wasps and bees if we're real hungry. A furry mouse, a tasty toad.
Child
Ribbit.
Stinker (Skunk)
Or a slithering snake with some sweet berries for dessert.
Trusty (Narrator)
That's quite the buffet.
Stinker (Skunk)
Yep. Honestly, Trusty, I feel like skunks get a bad rap.
Trusty (Narrator)
Really? How so?
Stinker (Skunk)
People think all we want to do is spray them with our musk. But what they don't understand is that spraying a person or another animal is actually a skunk's last resort when it comes to defending ourselves or our territory.
Trusty (Narrator)
I see. So what other types of defenses do skunks have? Any ideas, Smartypants? Yep, you got me beat, too. So what do you do, stinker?
Stinker (Skunk)
Well, at first, if we feel threatened, we'll start to hiss, similar to an animal many people keep as pets.
Trusty (Narrator)
Yep, that sounds like a cat. And if that doesn't do the trick?
Stinker (Skunk)
Then we'll grind our teeth, stomp our feet and violently shift from side to side like this, while hissing.
Trusty (Narrator)
Yep, if I were your size, that would definitely have me running away.
Stinker (Skunk)
And if that doesn't work, we just lift up our tail and.
Trusty (Narrator)
No, no, you do not have to demonstrate.
Stinker (Skunk)
Relax. I wasn't going to. Like I said earlier, we tend to aim for the eyes and just let her rip. Ew.
Trusty (Narrator)
Oh, boy. Hmm. I wonder how far a skunk's spray reaches. What do you think, smarty pants? Is it 3ft, 5ft, or 10ft?
Stinker (Skunk)
Oh, we can easily spray around 10ft or 3 meters in distance. Wanna see? No.
Trusty (Narrator)
No. I'll take your word for it.
Stinker (Skunk)
I knew you'd say that. Whoa. Did you hear that?
Trusty (Narrator)
Hear what?
Stinker (Skunk)
That. It's an owl.
Trusty (Narrator)
Ah, it sure was. Are they a predator of skunks?
Stinker (Skunk)
You bet they are. So are other large birds of prey, like hawks and eagles.
Trusty (Narrator)
Hey, we learned about birds of prey in a previous episode.
Stinker (Skunk)
Oh, good for you. Except in this case, I'm the prey.
Trusty (Narrator)
Yikes. Won't the smell of your musk keep them away?
Stinker (Skunk)
Unfortunately not. These types of birds have a poor sense of smell. Smell? So it's not a deterrent like it is with land mammals like foxes, coyotes, or even dogs. Those guys we can handle. Nope. When it comes to birds, there's only one thing we can do.
Child
Hide.
Trusty (Narrator)
Hide. Where? We'll find out right after this quick ad. Break.
Stinker (Skunk)
Decals.
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
In Donkey Kong Bonanza, you can smash through almost anything. Giant watermelon, Easy. Solid rock. Save less. Explore the underground world by smashing to the planet's core as Donkey Kong and Pauline. Hold up. Are you hearing carts?
Trusty (Narrator)
All right.
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
Race against your friends in Mario Kart World. Drive off walls, off the road, and over dinosaurs.
Trusty (Narrator)
Sweet.
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
You can power up your play on Nintendo Switch. Two additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode, game system, and some accessories sold separately. Games rated E to E10.
Child
Yeah, I can't open this jar of pickles. Let me try, Grandpa. Ha. You've clearly been drinking your milk. Milk can help you build muscles. Free.
Trusty (Narrator)
We're finally free.
Child
Wait, who said that milk can't stop pickles from coming alive.
Trusty (Narrator)
Hey, smarty pants. Trusty here and I want to tell you about something that's going to make bedtime way more fun. Koala Moon. You know how much we love learning cool stuff together. Well, Koala Moon is powerful. Packed with original bedtime stories and sleep meditations that deliver amazing life lessons. Just in a way that helps you drift off to Dreamland with over 700 stories featuring awesome characters like Coco the Koala. And the Jupiter twins. There's always something new to discover. Koala Moon has already helped improve over 50 million bedtimes, and I think it can help yours too. So ask a grownup to search Koala Moon on your favorite podcast app so you can try it tonight. Now back to who Smarted? Stinker, where are you? Did the owl get you? Oh, no. I don't see or smell Stinker.
Stinker (Skunk)
I'm over here, trusty, behind the big pile of firewood.
Child
Phew.
Trusty (Narrator)
Coming.
Advertiser/Commercial Voice
Wow.
Trusty (Narrator)
Skunks need to keep an eye and ear out for danger.
Stinker (Skunk)
Don't forget our noses. Skunks hearing and ability to smell are top notch, but our eyesight isn't the greatest, Especially when it comes to seeing distances, like when a car is approaching. Nope, didn't see it.
Trusty (Narrator)
Yikes. That can be dangerous.
Stinker (Skunk)
No kidding. That's why we mostly venture out to forage at night.
Trusty (Narrator)
Smartypants, what's a word that describes when an animal is primarily or exclusively active at night? Is it A, internal, B, external, or C, nocturnal? If you said C, nocturnal, you're right. The owl is leaving your hiding spot worked.
Stinker (Skunk)
Out of sight, out of mind, and out of tummy.
Trusty (Narrator)
Good one. I gotta say, I noticed you've been out here alone. Do skunks stick together or are they more solitary? And what about baby skunks?
Stinker (Skunk)
Believe it or not, most skunk families start off fairly large. Also, there's a word for baby skunks. Do the smarty pants know what it is?
Trusty (Narrator)
Hmm, let's find out. Smarty pants, what do you call a baby skunk? Is it A, a little stinker, B, a skit, or C, a kit? The answer is C, a kit.
Stinker (Skunk)
That's right. And a skunk litter will contain anywhere from two to ten. Ten kits.
Trusty (Narrator)
Oof. I don't know what I'd do if I saw 10 skunks hanging out together.
Stinker (Skunk)
If you were smart, you'd leave them alone. Most kits are born in April and May, and it's quite common for newborns to stay close to home in the den, drink their mother's milk, and snuggle together for warmth.
Trusty (Narrator)
Aw, that sounds so cute and cozy.
Stinker (Skunk)
It is, but it's also necessary. Kits are born with very little feedback, and their eyes are closed for the first several weeks. I should also mention kits are raised by their moms. Daddy skunks don't take much part in raising the kits after they're born. Mm, tell me about it. Then, after two months, the kits will venture out and explore their surroundings.
Trusty (Narrator)
Be free, little skunks Live your best lives.
Stinker (Skunk)
Ooh, did you hear that?
Trusty (Narrator)
Sounded like crickets to me.
Stinker (Skunk)
And it sounds like dinner to me. Smell you later, Trusty.
Trusty (Narrator)
I sure hope not, Stinker. A special shout out to Gayatri in the Bay Area, California, who apparently loves hearing from us every morning on the way to school. I hear you're always excited to learn new facts about life, history and science from me and all your friends at WhoSmarted. Aw, thanks, Gayatri. And thank you for your adorable voice message to help me pronounce your name correctly. Hopefully I did a good job. Let me know. And thanks for smarting with us this episode. Skunks was written by Dave Davis and voiced by Monica Giordano and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh hold your nose, Han. Our associate producer is Smelly Max Kamowski. The theme song is by Brian Pepe Le Peu Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic Audio production. Hey, smarty pants. Trusty here and I want to tell you about something that's going to make bedtime way more fun. Koala Moon. You know how much we love learning cool stuff together. Well, Koala Moon is packed with original bedtime stories and sleep meditations that deliver amazing life lessons just in a way that helps you drift off to Dreamland. With over 700 stories featuring awesome characters like Coco the Koala and the Jupiter Twins, there's always something new to discover. Koala Moon has already helped improve over 50 million bedtimes, and I think it can help yours too. So ask a grown up to search Koala Moon on your favorite podcast app so you can try it tonight.
Podcast: Who Smarted?
Episode: Why Does Skunk Spray Smell So Bad?
Date: August 7, 2026
Host: Trusty (Narrator), with guest “Stinker” the Skunk
Target Audience: Kids, families, and teachers
In this humor-filled, fact-jammed episode, Trusty the Narrator enlists the help of a particularly chatty skunk named Stinker to answer curious kid questions about all things skunk! After a surprise, stinky encounter with Stinker in a trash bin, listeners are taken on an engaging journey through skunk behavior, biology, diets, defenses, and—most of all—the science behind that legendary skunk stink. Bursting with memorable moments, interactive trivia, and kid-friendly jokes, this episode is a perfect, breezy blend of entertainment and education.
“Our musk primarily consists of chemical compounds called thiols, also known as mercaptans, which contain sulfur and are responsible for the notorious odor.” – Stinker (10:21)
“Skunks can't survive on human leftovers alone. Instead, we prefer snacking on crunchy crickets, juicy, slimy worms, or yummy wasps and bees if we're real hungry. A furry mouse, a tasty toad, or a slithering snake with some sweet berries for dessert.” – Stinker (12:42)
“Oh, we can easily spray around 10ft or 3 meters in distance. Wanna see?” – Stinker (14:41)
On Skunk Musk:
“Everyone always wants to know about the spray. First off, to be a little more accurate, it's actually referred to as our musk.”
— Stinker, 09:51
On Diet:
“We prefer snacking on crunchy crickets, juicy, slimy worms, or yummy wasps and bees if we're real hungry. A furry mouse, a tasty toad, or a slithering snake with some sweet berries for dessert.”
— Stinker, 12:42
On Defensive Moves:
“At first, if we feel threatened, we'll start to hiss, similar to an animal many people keep as pets.”
— Stinker, 13:51
“Then we'll grind our teeth, stomp our feet, and violently shift from side to side like this, while hissing.”
— Stinker, 14:03
On Family Life:
“Most kits are born in April and May, and it's quite common for newborns to stay close to home in the den, drink their mother's milk, and snuggle together for warmth.”
— Stinker, 19:39
On Predators:
“It's not a deterrent like it is with land mammals like foxes, coyotes, or even dogs. Those guys we can handle. Nope. When it comes to birds, there's only one thing we can do… hide.”
— Stinker, 15:22–15:46
Classic Who Smarted Humor:
“If you were smart, you'd leave them alone.”
— Stinker, 19:36
This “Who Smarted?” episode is a wonderfully fun investigation into the world of skunks, revealing the science and purpose behind that infamous stink. With lively exchanges, hilarious asides, interactive trivia, and easy language, kids and grown-ups alike finish the episode understanding why skunks spray, how they live, what they eat, and how they survive in the wild. Plus: nobody gets sprayed!