Shrewlike rats evolved to be vermivores and insectivores feeding on soft-bodied invertebrates associated with leaf litter.

[1] Only two molars are present on each side of the upper and lower jaws; these are small and peg-like.

[1][2] Their characteristic method of locomotion has given rise to the epithet "hopping rats," describing their method of pouncing on an earthworm prey before it can slide back into its hole.

[1][2] They are restricted to moist, mossy highland regions with ample rainfall and large populations of earthworms.

Populations appear to be very isolated, restricted to "sky islands" of Luzon.

[6] Within this division, Rhynchomys is most closely related to the other Philippine shrew-rats in the genera Archboldomys and Chrotomys.