The upper parts vary in color from almost buffy through shades of brown to almost black. Most forms have a stripe along the middle of the back that differs in color from the remainder of the back. One species, C. sylvicultor, is generally blackish brown in color but has a large yellow rump patch. Another species, C. zebra, has a bright orange coat marked with dark vertical stripes. The underparts range from white to almost as dark as the back.
All species have relatively short legs, pointed hooves, and an arched back.
The horns, possessed by both sexes, are short, project backward from the skull, and are frequently hidden by a long tuft of hair on the crown. A third branch, leading to the genus Sylvicapra, is represented by C. monticola and C. maxwelli. All three branches contain both small and large species. Some species prefer open country with scattered trees and brush, whereas others are partial to the dense growth of the jungle. Although these antelope are quite numerous, they are seldom observed, owing to their shyness, largely nocturnal habits, and inaccessible habitats.