[2] It is found in Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Mozambique.

The main parts of its range are southern Sudan, the whole of Uganda, western Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe but it also occurs sporadically in some of the neighbouring countries.

It is found in open grassy countryside, the fringes of marshland and in woodland and it has been recorded at an altitude of 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) above sea level in the Rwenzori Mountains.

[1] It occupies much the same range as the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) but that species is more aquatic and frequents river banks and lakesides.

An important food item is often elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) but this rat is opportunistic and will also feed on crops such as peanut, maize, sweet potato, cassava and pumpkin.

Although the precise range of the lesser cane rat and its population trend are not known, it is a fairly common species and faces no specific threats.