Total length 28 cm; tail 15 cm; mass 70 g
White underparts, distinct dark line along upperside of tail and tip is never white. Upperparts most commonly reddish brown. Feet, underparts and sides of the muzzle are white and there are distinct white patches above and behind the ears.
Light, sandy soils or sandy alluvium with a very wide range of vegetation from open grassland to woodland.
Nocturnal, dig own burrows and live in loosely knit colonies.
Grass seed, but also other plant food. Partly insectivorous.