Total lenth about 95 cm - tail 46 cm and weighing about 2 kg. Long and slender with short legs. Off-white to buffy-white with almost black to rusty spots - those on the back being much larger. There are black bars above the shoulders and the tail is rigid with black and has a black tip. All black markings can be tinged rusty. The ears are large - rounded and mobile - and the face has distinct dark brown and white markings. Nocturnal - solitary - preferring wooded areas near water. Equally at home on the ground or in trees. They sleep wherever there is concealing cover - including ceiling spaces of buildings. Feeds on mice - insects - birds - spiders - scorpions - reptiles and fruit.