When disposed to sleep, or to remain inactive, it coils itself up into a round form; but when eating, or on the watch for any purpose, sits up, throwing its tail behind it.

In this posture it uses its fore feet to hold any thing, and to feed itself.

When irritated, it sits still more erect on the hind legs, or throws itself upon its back, making a loud and harsh noise.

It feeds only on vegetable substances.
This specimen is a male.

The fur is long, but close and thick; of a mixed brown or greyish colour on the back, under the belly and neck, of a yellowish white.