Understanding population genetics is important for increasing both our basic knowlege of wild species and our ability to conserve endangered species. In the Carnivora questions about genetic variability across the order also require population genetic information about more species. I present estimates of polymorphism and heterozygosity in the striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, an abundant species throughout North America. In two populations in eastern Tennessee the average heterozygosity and polymorphism are, respectively: Cades Cove, 0.038 and 0.11; Knoxville, 0.040 and 0.11. These values are well within the ranges for mammals and are intermediate between values suggested by previous studies of skunks using small numbers of individuals. Possible explanations are discussed.