The back or dorsal region of the head and back is grey to dark or glossy reddish-brown. The patagium is dark brown, sparsely tinged with red. The feet are reddish-brown, and the underside is light reddish to creamy white. The feet are covered with long hair that partially conceals the claws. It has no cheek whiskers, but there are long moustachial hairs. The ears are small, and the species is recognised by the pencil of long chestnut hairs growing from the base of the ear conch.

B. pearsonii occurs in temperate broadleaved forests and subtropical dry deciduous forests. They are reported to inhabit rock crevices and tree hollows.

Their diet includes leaves and fruits of oak, cedar and pine trees.