They are a rich brown or rusty grey color and mostly covered by short velvety underfur. The underside is a creamy tan color, paler than the back. The tail is scaly and naked like that of an opossum. The ears are naked as well and are thin, round, and dark in color. The claws are small, weak, and unequal in length.
Females have four mammae and a well developed pouch.
The forelimbs and hindlimbs are more similar in size than in other Macropods. Throughout early life, molariform teeth migrate to make room for late erupting molars. They also eat worms, tuberous roots and palm berries. The animal sits on its haunches while eating and finds food by turning over debris and digging. Usually two young are born and they leave the pouch after 21 weeks.