This semi-arboreal rat occurs in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Most comparison specimens examined had dark-brown tails rather than truly black ones.
Despite its common name, most Melomys rufescens tails available for comparison were dark brown rather than actually black.
It is semi-arboreal and is associated with secondary habitats. A survey in Papua New Guinea also trapped individuals on the ground, beside a creek and at tree bases.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.