This rat occurs on Simalur, now Simeulue, and nearby islands. The pool's Japanese label refers to Mentawai, but current taxonomy and original records identify Simalur, so the display name is corrected.
The back is finely grizzled black and ochraceous, with buff underparts. Ears and tail are described as nearly uniform dark brown.
Abbott's 1903 notes describe it as common in jungle on Simalur and Lasia and not uncommon on Babi. This is historical wording, not a current population estimate.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.