In this range, which roughly matches the extent of the Kalahari Desert, its population is very sparse, and individuals are normally very rare and widely separated.

Each shell scute is coloured with a radiating star-pattern of black rays on a tan background.

The species has buttock tubercles and the shell's nuchal scute is wide and sometimes divided.

The males have a longer tail and taller, more conical scutes on the back as well as a concave belly.

The San used the shells of small animals to produce tobacco and perfume cases, a practice that is restricted today, due to nature conservation legislation to protect this declining species.