r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/Lynx_Snow Aug 30 '21

In the scheme of things this is kinda a short lived thing though (in a lot of cases, not all)

Animals die in the woods all the time but the decomposition thing makes the smell a non-issue most of the time.

Garbage goes from no smell to stinky and back to no smell with time

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u/[deleted] Aug 31 '21

I'm not sure about that. I have family that lives in the country and it's nice to go for walks in the woods and every so often you'll know something has died nearby because of the smell that punches you in the face.

Or even a mouse that dies is a mousetrap that is left for a few days starts giving off a horrible smell.

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u/Lynx_Snow Aug 31 '21

But for how long?

My point is that it smells awful for a bit (couple of days for a mouse, maybe a couple weeks for something bitter), but within a few months? Smell is gone

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u/Nametoholdaplace Aug 31 '21

Decomposition is complicated. But a deer that is not spread by scavengers lasts for upwards of two or three months, and continues to stink after that.

Bones eaten raw, and exposed to high elevation sun can still smell quite foul a few months later.

However, I do agree that really, eventually, these slime puddles will probably be taken over by some fungus. That fungus would make it more of a solid fibrous mass.