All species are colored some shade of brown and have whitish underparts. The white expanse of the chin and throat is variously, though symmetrically, cut by patches of brown. Certain forms have longitudinal rows of spots or stripes of white or buff on the back and sides. There are no horns, but there are canine teeth in both jaws. The upper canines are especially well developed and are enlarged into tusks in males.
Females have four mammae.
These mouse deer generally live among undergrowth on the edges of heavy lowland forests. They are seldom found far from water. They are present in large numbers but are seldom seen, as they are shy, retiring, and nocturnal. They customarily traverse tiny tunnel-like jungle trails. The diet consists chiefly of grass, the leaves of low bushes, and fallen jungle fruit and berries.