It is found in the Aru and Kai islands and the Trans-Fly savanna and grasslands ecoregion of New Guinea.

[2] The scientific name of this pademelon honors Cornelis de Bruijn, the Dutch painter who first described it in the second volume of his Travels, originally published in 1711.

There de Bruijn labeled his description with a common name then current, philander ("friend of man").

[3][4] It is known as kutwal (or kotwal) in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea.

[5] François Valentyn records that Aru Islanders call it aijir and pelandoe; the Malays call it pelandok-aru ("Aru mousedeer") while the Ambonese call it koeskoes-aroe ("Aru cuscus") because it has a pouch like said animal.