A small rodent endemic to Queensland's Wet Tropics region, whose alternative English name, 'Thornton Peak rat', reflects how restricted its distribution is to the mountain summits of that area. In 1995 the indigenous name 'kuku' was officially proposed for the species, although it was not widely adopted.
Small for its genus, with a striking dark facial 'mask' that gives the Masked White-tailed Giant Rat its common name, characteristic of this Queensland mountain rainforest species.
Terrestrial and presumably partly arboreal, it moves across the ground and through low vegetation in its native mountain rainforest habitat. Tracks and signs are poorly known.
Mountain rainforest of Queensland's Wet Tropics region, to which it is endemic.
Presumably omnivorous, with seeds, fruit and other vegetation forming the basis of its diet.
Little documented in detail, restricted to mountain rainforest in a very specific area of north-eastern Queensland.
Classified as Near Threatened due to its restricted distribution in the mountain rainforests of Queensland's Wet Tropics.
Loss of mountain rainforest habitat and climate change, to which species restricted to mountain areas are particularly sensitive.
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