Lemmiscus originally was named as a subgenus of Lagurus and still is regarded as such by some authorities, including Hall. The upper parts are pale buffy gray to ashy gray, the sides are paler, and the underparts are silvery or soiled whitish to buffy. The dense, lax pelage is usually longer and softer than that of Microtus. The body is somewhat stocky and lemminglike, and the tail is about the length of the hind foot. Some modifications for burrowing in sandy soil are the small ears, short tail, stout claws, and haired palms and soles.
Females have eight mammae.
From other North American arvicoline rodents, Lemmiscus is distinguished by its dental characters, large bullae, short tail, and pale coloration. This genus is generally restricted to semiarid prairies, rolling hills, or brushy canyons, which are usually dominated by sagebrush and bunch grasses. Its burrows usually occur in clusters having 8-30 entrances each. The entrances are usually in cover but sometimes are in the open. There are numerous short tunnels at depths of 80-460 mm and a nest chamber up to 250 mm in diameter.