This Gram positive coccus is found as singles, pairs, irregular clusters, and infrequently in short chains. Cells are catalase positive and exhibit facultatively anaerobic metabolism. Able to use glucose oxidatively and fermentatively. Salt tolerant in media with NaCl concentrations up to 10%. Growth occurs at temperatures between 25-45 C, with optimum growth occurring between 30-40 C. Isolated from the milk of goats, but can be found on human skin. It has been isolated in cases of bacteremia, urinary infections, among other patient samples.