This microbe is a small, coccoid-shaped Gram-negative rod. Like most Yersinia species, it is more active metabolically and motile at 25-30 C than at 35-37 C. Little gas is produced from glucose. It is nonmotile at 35-37 C and little gas is produced from glucose. It is a human and animal pathogen responsible for various diseases in mammals and birds, including diarrhea and septicemia. Has been isolated from environmental and food sources, and from healthy man and animals.