[2] It was first described by zoologists Bruce D. Patterson (of the Field Museum of Natural History) and Luis Albuja (of the National Polytechnic School) in 1996 from an adult male specimen captured from Cordillera del Cóndor (Ecuador).

[3] In the latter part of 20th century, scientists believed that Caenolestes is closely related to Lestoros (the Incan caenolestid).

The generic name Caenolestes derives from the Greek words kainos ("new") and lestes ("robber", "pirate").

[8] The specific epithet condorensis is based on the name of the type locality, Cordillera del Cóndor.

The specimens were captured on the ecotone (interface) between the short grassy vegetation of the plateau and the higher, wooded slopes.