These Animals Let Out the Most Farts in the World

Animal farts are hilariously entertaining, but they can also be dangerous. Some species pass gas to survive while others use it to stun predators or prey. Plus, farts produce methane, which is a greenhouse gas emission that causes global warming. Which animals are the culprits that let out the most farts in the world? Let’s sniff out 18 of the stinkiest creatures on Earth, starting with the number one contributor.

1. Cows

Almost 30% of Earth’s methane emissions come from ruminant livestock like cows. They produce a lot of gas! Grain-based feed is the reason for their tooting, so moving away from this will help our noses and our planet.

2. Termites

Like cows, termites are a ruminant species that produces methane when plant matter is digested. What plant matter, you might wonder? Wood, of course! Termites are responsible for 1% of the methane gas produced, which is why they rank at number two on our list of animals that fart the most.

3. Horses

We know that cows fart the most, but what animal comes in a close second? That would be horses! Horses produce nearly 45.5 pounds of methane gas per year… that’s a lot of farting. Plus, they are shameless about their flatulence, often ripping one as they cough, get up, buck, or jump.

4. Manatees

Manatees don’t fart just to fart. They use the stored-up gas to float to the surface and release it to dive below. It also helps them stay balanced and navigate as they swim!

5. Zebras

Another animal who farts on purpose? Zebras! They release gas with every stride if they’re being chased by a predator. It’s said that their farts can kill a lion if they breathe in enough of the deadly smell!

6. Rhinos

Rhinos are another animal that farts a lot because their diet is plant-based. Their food is digested through fermentation in the back half of their digestive tract, and the only way to release the build-up is to fart!

7. Elephants

The mighty elephant is large, so it makes sense that they fart the most out of all the animals on our list. In fact, the amount of gas they produce in a single day is said to be able to power a car for up to 20 miles! Plus, they’re as pungent as you can imagine for such a massive creature.

8. Orangutans

The orangutan digests the plant matter they eat the same way cows and horses do. What does that mean? They fart… a lot! And, of course, these cheeky apes are shameless about it.

9. Bolson Pupfish

Another animal that farts on purpose is the bolson pupfish. They feed on algae, which produces gas in the fish’s intestines. The gas causes the fish to float to the water’s surface, where they are more vulnerable to predators. Releasing the gas helps them sink back to safety. Farting really can save the day!

10. Ferrets

We know and love ferrets for their silly personalities, but it’s no secret that they smell. While most of that smell is from living in small cages, sometimes it’s because they get gassy. This will happen if you give them fruits, vegetables, or carbs — an unnecessary part of their diet — because their digestive systems can’t break it down.

11. Beaded Lacewings

There’s an interesting connection between two of the animals on our list: the termite and the beaded lacewing. In the larval stage, the beaded lacewing’s farts contain a chemical to stun termites so they can eat them. This insect’s farts have a purpose. Let’s just hope they taste good…

12. Whales

Underwater farts are far too understudied. Farting whales have only been captured on video a few times, but we know they blow bubbles out of their back end like the rest of us.

13. Camels

A surprising animal that breaks some of the most wind is the camel. They have multi-chambered forestomachs and produce almost as much methane gas through their farts as cows.

14. Sheep

The average sheep produces almost 18 pounds of methane each year. This animal does a lot of farting because it is a ruminant species that processes grain by passing gas.

15. Kangaroos

As herbivores, part of how a kangaroo digests plant matter is by releasing some serious-smelling farts. They are active methane contributors. This surprised researchers from the Univesity of Zurich, who thought their farts were eco-friendly and that kangaroos were “mysteriously low methane-producing creatures” for their size and diet.

16. Hippos

For such massive animals, hippos do not have the loudest farts in the world. But they do hold the record for the longest fart — 10 breathtaking seconds!

17. Honey Badgers

The honey badger is another animal that farts with a purpose! To steal honey from bees, they have to stun them with pungent puffs of poo (in gas form, of course).

18. Dogs

As any dog owner knows, these pups pass gas like nobody’s business! Whether they ate something bad or you get a particularly flatulent breed, dogs had to be on our list of the animals that fart the most.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Stanislaw Mikulski/Shutterstock.com