[2] A single specimen was discovered in 1975 by Dioscoro S. Rabor and his team during a scientific survey in Dinagat.

Habitat loss is caused by progressive deforestation from heavy logging and chromite mining in the area.

Almost 40 years after the original discovery, five live specimens were discovered by Milada Řeháková, Václav Řehák and William L.R.

Rabor, with Guy G. Musser of the American Museum of Natural History and Lawrence R. Heaney of the University of Michigan, reported the full description after 10 years, in 1985.

In January 2012, Czech zoologists noticed a living specimen in a semi-protected watershed reserve site in central-north Dinagat.

[3] Řeháková had been officially investigating the Philippine tarsier Tarsius syrichta on Bohol for three years, during 2009-2012.

[6] However, using vocalisation records, her team detected the rustling movements and calls of a cloud rat, which were distinct from those of tarsiers.

It is medium in size among the species of Crateromys, and measures 26.5 cm (10.4 in) from head to body rear.

Short black hairs start from the middle of the dorsum and gradually disappear on all sides.

Many initiatives to change the law have been made but all failed as the mining industry controls various political dynasties in the Philippines.