Humans can recognize over 10,000 different odors, thanks to 12 million olfactory receptor cells in their nose. This is a small number compared to the 100-300 million receptor cells dogs have, which allows them to distinguish over 40,000 different odors.
A foul odor isn't an experience we enjoy. But the fact remains: many things in the world smell unpleasant, and sometimes they're downright stinky. And if you don't want to encounter one of them, it's worth finding out in advance which objects are considered foul. the foulest smelling on Earth and even in space. The scientific publication ScienceAlert has compiled a list of these. A gas mask is not required for reading.
6. Uranus – the smell of rotten eggs
Space explorers exploring Uranus will face a difficult time. A group of astronomers recently discovered that hydrogen sulfide is present in the atmosphere of one of the solar system's largest planets. This gives Uranus its rotten-egg smell, which makes many people nauseous.
5. Durian – smells like feces, socks and onions
The durian fruit ranks fifth on the list of the world's stinkiest objects. It's common in Southeast Asia but native to Malaysia. While many people living in Southeast Asia enjoy the fruit, many find its odor downright appalling. Some foreigners describe it as a mixture of feces, old socks, rotting onions, and turpentine.
Because of its aroma, this fruit is banned in some places, such as Singapore. Surprisingly, durian is very beneficial for those living in Southeast Asia. There, it is used to add a distinctive flavor to traditional dishes and as a fever remedy.
4. Rafflesia arnoldii – the smell of a corpse
When you see a flower, your instinct tells you it will smell pleasant. But this isn't true for the Rafflesia arnoldii, one of the largest flowers on Earth. When this colossus blooms, it fills the air with the scent of rotting flesh, earning it the nickname "corpse flower.".
This scent attracts specialized pollinators to the Rafflesia, such as flies, dung beetles, and some species of carnivorous insects. However, the bloom lasts only a few days, and the buds take several months to mature. So, theoretically, you could plant a Rafflesia in your garden and, upon noticing the foul odor, simply leave the house for a few days.
3. Vieux Boulogne – aromas of decay
Do you like the smell of cheese? If so, try sniffing Vieux Boulogne and you'll agree that you can only eat this cheese by pinching your nose tightly.
In November 2004, scientists at Cranfield University took on the task of determining the smelliest cheese in the world. The French soft cheese Vieux Boulogne won the competition. It smells of mushrooms, damp earth, and rotting leaves. This stench is even worse than that of a cheese called Epoisses de Bourgogne, which is banned in some public places in France.
The terrible stench emanating from this cheese is the result of brewer's bacteria acting on the enzymes in the cheese.
2. Ancient excrement
Human waste ranked second on the list of the most foul-smelling items. It smells incredibly foul, and the "aroma" doesn't improve with age. The stench can linger for up to 700 years, as archaeologists excavating in the Danish city of Odense have discovered. One of their finds was a 14th-century latrine, constructed in the form of barrels. The barrels continued to emit a stench.
However, even coprolites are useful to scientists; they can reveal information about people's diet in the past, their health, and even their gender. DNA samples are extracted from feces, softened with a special solution, and these DNA samples reveal the full truth about their owner.
1. Four-toed anteater - skunk smell
Small, furry animals are always so cute, despite the fact that many of them are quite dangerous. However, the four-toed anteater, also known as the Mexican tamandua, is a creature you'd be better off avoiding in a dark alley. The tamandua's scent is five to seven times stronger than that of a skunk, which helps it repel enemies. In this respect, it's similar to another cute little animal, the zorilla (an African polecat), which secretes a pungent-smelling secretion from its anal glands. Both of these animals are worthy of the title "king of stinkers.".