A large, robust  shrew with  a proportionately rather short tail, thick at base, tapering, and surrounded by rings of scales covered with black and white hairs. Head large with relatively small, rounded ears that still project beyond fur. Limbs five-toed, palms and soles free of hairs. Fur dense, short and smooth. Upper parts grayish brown with hairs brown-tipped with gray base. Underparts grayish white with hairs unicolored (some individuals have a gray base). Indistinct demarcation between flank and belly, extending from upper lip to hind limbs. Three pairs of nipples. A scent gland located behind shoulders in both sexes.