The bamboo rat has a heavy body, short legs and a short, almost hairless tail. Its incisor teeth are large and strong, and it uses these and its teeth for digging. It burrows underground near clumps of bamboo, the roots of which are its staple diet. It also comes out of its burrow to feed on bamboo above ground and on other plants, seeds, and fruit. The usual litter is believed to contain 3 to 5 young, and there may be more than one litter per year.