[4][5] This species is native to South America, where its range includes southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.

These South American bamboo rats share unique features and are grouped under the informal clade name of "Dactylomyines".

In turn, these genera share phylogenetic affinities with the clade containing Lonchothrix and Mesomys, and with Isothrix.

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, for example, it has been recorded as having a density of just over four individuals per square kilometre.

As a nocturnal animal it is seldom seen, but it has an extensive range and is presumed to have a large total population.