One of the smallest rabbits in the world, this tiny species has very short ears, legs and feet, and only a barely-visible, vestigial tail. The short, dense coat is dark brown tinged with yellow on the back and sides, light buff with grey under-fur on the underside, and buff-coloured at the base of the ears. This dark colouration blends well with the volcanic soils of the species’ habitat and may serve to protect it from predators. The coat is shed once a year.