Eyes are mederately large, ears are large but nearly hidden in the fur. Fur is rough and a mixture of tan, brown, and black with less black on the sides.
Underparts are whitish to grayish.
Found throughout the southern U.S., including parts of the southwest and Mexico. This species likes dense, grassy fields and weedy edges. They have burrow systems but also use well-defined runways through the grass. They feed on a variety of things including grasses and sedges, cultivated plants, insects, crayfish, bird eggs, and animal remains. Hispid cotton rats are considered pests in agricultural regions.