From Nannospalax, Spalax is distinguished by having no foramina above the occipital condyles of the skull and by other cranial characters. The external ears of both genera are reduced to low ridges. Blind mole-rats recognize objects by touching them with the nose. Tactile and auditory senses are considered acute, but olfaction may be weak. The forefeet and hind feet have five digits.
Females have two pairs of mammae.
They are known from plains below sea level, hilly areas, upland steppes, and cultivated fields. They are extensive burrowers. Most of their digging is done with the incisors, the whole head acting as a bulldozer blade. Specialized jaws and strong muscles aid the teeth in loosening the soil. Almost all of the orbit, for example, is occupied by muscles for working the teeth.