Many times, Common Hog Nosed Skunks can be discovered by looking at the ground. Due to its unique manner of foraging for food, it leaves a distinctive, "plowed over" area on the ground that it has scrutinized.

The Common Hog Nosed Skunk uses its nose to root for food, much like its namesake, the hog, might. It will dig with its nose and claws for insects like worms and grubs, and has been known to eat small rodents and reptiles, fruit, and other plant parts. Usually, Common Hog Nosed Skunks are quite absorbed in whatever activity they are engaged in and pay predators and other animals little heed. Their best defense is their musk, which smells extremely repugnant and can even intimidate rattlesnakes. Common Hog Nosed Skunks prefer rocky, sparsely vegetated arid areas. They often make dens in rock crevices or other protected areas, where they live singly outside of the breeding season. These skunks are mainly nocturnal.

By maturity, the Common Hog Nosed Skunk usually measures between 22 and 27 inches (58 to 69 centimeters), and weighs between three and a half and ten pounds (one and a half to four and a half kilograms). Their fur is coarse and has a brownish tinge over a black or dark brown base color. Short hairs of this color may also be found interspersed with the longer white hairs of the tail. A broad white stripe runs the length of the Common Hog Nosed Skunk's body. Their snouts are quite long and the tip of the snout is bare. Although both the front and back feet have five toes with long nails, those of the front feet are more developed than those of the back feet, probably to assist in digging.

Native to southern North America, the Common Hog Nosed Skunk often inhabits arid canyons and scrubland. Although they are not commonly hunted or trapped, Common Hog Nosed Skunks are in danger of losing their habitat, and thus are dwindling in number in some areas.

In captivity, Common Hog Nosed Skunks are reported to be relatively docile; in fact, it may even be possible to handle kits while the mother looks on, if the mother skunk trusts the handler.

Usually, Common Hog Nosed Skunks give birth in the spring to an average of three kits after a two-month gestation period. The breeding season probably begins in January or February. Because the Common Hog Nosed Skunk only has six nipples, most litters are probably near average size. The litters are born blind and birth often occurs between April and May.