This rat was described from Darién in eastern Panama. The original account reports that an animal thought to be this species was smoked out of a tree hollow but escaped before its identity could be confirmed.
The back is dark reddish brown, while russet and ochraceous-buff colors occur on the underside. The tail is dark at the base and paler toward the tip.
The original account says an animal believed to be this species was smoked from a tree hollow with bats, but escaped. The author did not confirm its identity.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.