The bristly mouse occurs in Amazonian forests of South America, from lowland evergreen forest to montane forest.
The back is reddish to dark brown and the belly is pale. Grooved spine-like hairs, large hind feet, and a tail as long as or longer than the head and body are notable features.
It is described as nocturnal and omnivorous, eating seeds, fruit, and insects.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.