Issue link: https://owlkids.uberflip.com/i/1542643
CONSULTANT: BLYTHE BEYNON, PARKS CANADA PHOTOS: PARKS CANADA/JULIE ANNE FRANCOIS (HONEYBEE); GETTYISTOCK (BEAVER); DREAMSTIME (CITRONELLA ANT); ADOBE STOCK (ALL OTHERS) WHAT THEY SMELL LIKE: Vanilla HOW THEY USE THEIR SCENT: Beavers use a sticky liquid called castoreum to mark their territories. Although castoreum comes from sacs under their tails, the substance smells—and tastes!—like vanilla. During the fur trade from the 1600s to 1800s, trappers sold dried castoreum sacs. People used the castoreum in perfume, medicine, and food. It is no longer common to find castoreum in perfume or medicine. And vanilla bean extract or artificial vanilla flavouring are more often used in cooking. Phew! BEAVERS WHAT THEY SMELL LIKE: Lemon HOW THEY USE THEIR SCENT: When citronella ants sense danger, they shoot a lemon-scented substance from their mandibles (mouthparts) and a gland in their abdomen. Although this smell might not bug you, it really irritates predators! It also sends a signal to other ants that help is needed. When they smell it, they rush over, ready to defend their colony. But you're unlikely to smell this critter. Only worker citronella ants have this scent, and they spend most of their time underground. The citronella ants found above ground are called swarmer ants (or flying ants), and they don't smell like anything. CITRONELLA ANTS Many animals give off (often unpleasant) scents. But these creatures smell like food! BY DIANA MURRELL What's That What's That SMELL? SMELL? 20 OWL November 2025 Incredible!