It has a bushy, squirrel-like tail, a fairly short muzzle, small ears and soft fur.

Its face is marked with white and grey, with dark rings (spectacles) around its eyes.

Its distribution is restricted to the Cederberg in western South Africa, and it is associated with rocky habitats, as well as trees and outbuildings.

Its diet consists primarily of seeds, other plant material and invertebrates.

They have been remarked to eat certain types of scorpions as well and will kill other mice or smaller rat species in their territory.