Some forms are olivaceous above with a slight brownish tone. The upper surface of the tail is almost black, but the tips of the hairs are gray, and the lower surface is bright brown along the median line and edged by almost black. The underparts of the body are white, the sides of the lower and front portions of the head are bright reddish brown, and there is a faint light spot behind the ear. In other forms the general color is rufous brown above and orange below, with a whitish spot behind the ear and a whitish ring around the eye. Still others are more grayish or more buffy.
Some species have a bright chestnut anal patch and a faint dark line down the middle of the back.
D. lokriah has a brilliant rufous patch on the outer side of the hips. The furry coat of this genus is fairly soft and full. The general form is similar to that of Sciurus, except that in D. rufigenis the snout is slightly elongated. Females have three pairs of mammae. These squirrels are found at elevations from sea level to 3,400 meters but dwell mainly in montane forests.