This small, short-legged deer is the largest endemic species of the west Visayan islands of the Philippines, and is easily distinguished from other Philippine deer by the distinctive pattern of buff-coloured spots scattered across its dark brown back and sides. The underparts are a creamy colour with white fur on the chin and lower lip, contrasting sharply with the otherwise deep brown face and neck. The head is a slightly lighter shade of brown than the body, and the eyes are surrounded by a ring of paler fur. As is typical of most cervids, only males bear antlers, which are bumpy and relatively short and stout at around 20 centimetres in length. Males can also be distinguished from females by their much larger overall size.