[1][2] This species is named for the British hunter and conservationist Sir Edward North Buxton, a founder of the Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire, which has since grown to become the prominent conservation organisation Flora and Fauna International.

[3] Buxton's jird has dark cinnamon-brown fur and a conspicuous black brushy tail.

[4] Jirds typically have narrow, well-developed ears and a long tail which measures almost the same as the head-body length.

[5] Jirds are not thought to hibernate, although some species are known enter torpor, while others remain underground throughout the winter and live entirely off stored food.

It is likely that the diet of Buxton's jird is similar to most other species in the genus, consisting mainly of a variety of green vegetation, roots, bulbs, seeds, cereals, fruits and insects.

Habitat loss is a major threat, caused by urbanisation in the eastern parts of its range and land conversion to agricultural use particularly in southern Israel.