Superficial­ly similar to the jirds but with a distinctive, short, thick tail. Upper parts pale red-brown with black-tipped hairs running along the back. Fur long and fluffy. Flanks with clear, pale cinnamon strip, like col­ored strip in jirds, extending onto the hind limbs. Forelimbs, inside of hind limbs, and underparts white. No white rump patch. Ears fairly small, virtually naked and pigmented. White patch behind ear small. Pale spot above eye at best indistinct. Tail very distinctive. Shorter than head and body, club-shaped, and without terminal brush. Above pale red-brown, below white.