This Gram positive coccus is found as singles, pairs, and less frequently as irregular, grape-like clusters. 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 15-45 C, with optimum growth occurring between 30-40 C. Isolated most frequently from the skin of pigs and cows and can be recovered from the milk of cows with mastitis. Not considered to be of human medical importance. This species used to be considered a subspecies of Staphylococcus hyicus.