[1][2] Tuco-tucos belong to the only living genus of the family Ctenomyidae, Ctenomys, but they include approximately 60 different species.

[5] Tuco-tucos have heavily built cylindrical bodies with short legs and their pelage ranges in color from black to light grey.

[6][7] Members of the genus Ctenomys are widely distributed, but over 50 of the species are found in the southern half of South America.

Their ranges occur from coastal grasslands to mountain slopes, including the Andean Puna at over 4000 meters,[2] and depend on factors such as soil type, ambient temperature, and primary productivity.

[10] In order to excavate the soil, they have many morphological adaptations, including their body shape, reduced eyes, and strong limbs.

[3] Among their most notable features is that various members of the genus exhibit differing levels of genetic variability and sociality.

[17] Prior to the European settlement the tuco-tuco was an important food resource in Tierra del Fuego for the Fuegians in particular.