Despite standing 250 meters away from a giraffe, one can always detect a strong, unpleasant odor emanating from it. While everyone knows that this odor comes from the giraffe’s fur, few are aware of its purpose!
According to a research team from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, led by Professor William Wood, the cause of this odor was identified after analyzing the chemical composition of giraffe fur samples. They discovered that the smell is due to a mixture of 11 different chemicals, including potent antibacterial agents like indole and 3-methylindole.
These chemicals, which have very distinctive unpleasant odors, help giraffes resist certain bacteria that cause skin diseases, such as dermatomycosis.
However, scientists still do not fully understand why giraffe fur secretes such chemicals. They speculate that a chemical mixture in the form of a lubricant beneath the giraffe’s skin may be drawn up to the fur through its glands.
NGUYEN SINH
