[6] The rats have been found in rocky outcrops and on mountainsides with loose stones, as well as hilly grasslands and low open shrubland or woodland.

[1] Historically, the central rock rat is only known to be found in a 77 km (48 mi) stretch of the West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory.

This helps to explain why the central rock rat is found in such low numbers, since they rely on constant food supply and a steady and supportive habitat.

[1] Despite all this, the species is believed to be making strides, which is supported by the sightings near the Haasts Bluff Aboriginal land trust west of Alice Springs, in Australia.

The excrement of feral cats near the location site often includes the fur and bone skeletons of the central rock rat.

[8] The central rock rat has a national recovery plan through the Australian Government, its overall objective being to stabilise the species and prevent population decreases.

Recovery actions include establishing the sizes of sub-populations and monitoring changes in them, creating a fire strategy for known population locations, and capturing animals to add to the captive breeding program.

The recovery plan also has a provision for habitat protection which would help other native species such as the common brushtail possum and the black-flanked rock-wallaby.

[8] Beginning in 1996, after the re-discovery of the central rock rat, a captive breeding program was set up at Alice Springs Desert Park and at the Perth Zoo.

After initially introducing 14 individuals from the wild, the first generation bred successfully but the subsequent one had significant trouble, eventually leading to the death of the last male in 2011.