What produces the strong odor of decaying dead animals?

Question

Are there specific chemicals responsible for producing the strong, putrid odor that is present after an animal deceases? Also, how long does this odor last?

Answer 1

When an animal decays, there are an assortment of biological processes that are occuring. Each process will have its own product and its own unique smell. According to "https://www.aftermath.com/content/body-decomposition-smell/", the smells of decaying animals are as follows:

1. Cadaverine and putrescine smell like rotting flesh
2. Skatole has a strong feces odor
3. Indole has a mustier, mothball-like smell
4. Hydrogen sulfide smells like rotten eggs
5. Methanethiol smells of rotting cabbage
6. Dimethyl disulfide and trisulfide have a foul, garlic-like odor

These odors will be present until all organic matter has been decomposed. Depending on weather, environmental conditions, the number of scavenging animals, and insect activity, the odor could

last from days to weeks.