Some animals use a bad smell for defense; others find it attractive in each other. Environmental Graffiti has seven of the most vile. Believe it or not, the skunk came in at only #3!
Link -via J-Walk Blog
(image credit: Qmnonic)
There are 11 species of skunk, two in Asia and nine in the Americas. All of them have the ability to spray a foul smelling chemical when threatened. The famous skunk spray is a mix of sulphuric chemicals, and skunks can spray accurately up to 15 feet. The stench is so powerful the skunk almost every animal leaves it alone, the sole exception being the Great Horned Owl which has almost no sense of smell.
Link -via J-Walk Blog
(image credit: Qmnonic)
And to be the nerd here, they do serve an important niche by eating nasty insects no one likes (helping farmers use less pesticides).