The timid bushy-tailed jird is a small, gerbil-like mammal with a slender body, large eyes and, as the common name suggests, a thick and fluffy covering of fine hairs on the tail. The bushy tail is the most striking feature, having grayish or black fur along most of its length, except for the white tip. The body of the bushy-tailed jird is brownish-yellow and speckled with black on the upperparts, paler on the flanks, and white on the underside. With its slender limbs and long hind feet, the bushy-tailed jird is a proficient, agile climber in its rocky habitat.