Camping at Elkmont Campground in the Smoky Mountains Nat’l Park several years ago....
Just finished supper and my plate was still on the picnic table as I sat in a folding chair reading a book with a lantern on the table when a skunk waddled over to the table...I just sat still...
He hopped up on the bench and put it’s front paws on the table, leaned over and started licking my food plate...
I sat still as it finished and walked down the bench to the chair I was sitting in...It looked up at me and put it’s front paws on the arm of the chair and just looked up me...
I reached over and scratched the top of it’s head...It shut it’s eyes like a cat would do...
It climbed down and went under my chair and laid down curled up...
I thought I was going to have to sit there still in that chair all night...
After about 5-6 minutes, it got up and waddled back off....
Now, living near the Park and spending a lot of time outdoors and there in the park, I knew the skunks around the campgrounds were used to people and unafraid, but I had never had one act like that...
Campground skunks and raccoons are different creatures than their wild brethren who aren’t easy to see. And don’t approach humans. I’ve noticed the same thing with urban deer who allow walkers and dogs far too close. I’d be afraid to pet even a friendly skunk. Even domestic animals can have a reaction to being touched.