White and piebald varieties of Bathyergus are common. The third toe of the hind foot also has an especially long claw. The pale brown tail has a flat, featherlike appearance resulting from the fringe of long, pale slate hairs growing out from either side. The eyes are very small, and there are no external ears. Both sets of incisors project forward to a remarkable degree, but unlike those of all other bathyergid genera, the two lower ones cannot be moved independently, as the lower jaws are ossified at the mandibular symphysis.
Females have six mammae.
The habitat of Bathyergus appears to be restricted to sand dunes and sandy flats, especially near the coast but up to elevations of about 1,500 meters. Dune mole-rats spend their life in extensive burrow systems that they themselves have excavated. They push soil in front of them through the burrows and then throw it out through short side tunnels leading to the surface. A captive individual made a chattering noise while burrowing and would turn and bite if interrupted. The diet consists principally of bulbs and fleshy roots.