The lesser bamboo rat (Cannomys badius) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae.

The fur is soft and dense, reddish-brown to greyish-brown on the upper parts and rather paler and thinner on the underparts.

[2] Lesser bamboo rats have a robust, cylindrical body, small ears and eyes, and short, stout legs.

The main tunnel runs horizontally beneath the surface and may reach a depth of 60 cm (24 in) and total length as long as 58 m (190 ft).

These rats become sexually mature at the age of one year and females produce litters of two to five offspring after a gestation period of about six weeks.