It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, where it often lives in transition areas between lowland forest and open regions.

The dorsal colouring is variable, with individuals from the central and western parts of its range being pale yellowish-brown mixed with black, or dark reddish-brown, whereas those from further east, in Mato Grosso state, are a brighter, more ochre colour.

There are short, grooved spines mixed in with the rather coarse fur on the back and the underparts are a pale colour.

[4] N. spinosus has a very wide distribution encompassing much of the Amazon basin and the eastern foothills of the Andes.

It also occurs in more open locations on the edges of lowland forests, in secondary growth, in cultivated ground and gardens.