These 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 15-40 C, with optimum growth occurring between 25-35 C. Isolated most frequently from the skin of rodents and less frequently from the skin of other non-human mammals, and from water and sandy soils. It has been isolated from a variety of infections but is unlikely to be the causative agent in many.