The Broad-toothed Rat is a mostly nocturnal herbivorous rodent that has a head/body length of 14–17 cm and a tail length of 10–13 cm. It has a broad face, short tail and stocky body. It has characteristically large molars in a rounded head, with well-developed cheeks and large jaw muscles. The ears are small and round with tufts of hair inside.
The Broad-toothed Rat (mainland) has a highly fragmented distribution, with scattered records across the Great Dividing Range from near Warburton (Victoria) to the Brindabella Range (Australian Capital Territory (ACT)) and around Barrington Tops (New South Wales(NSW)), with at least one poorly-known subpopulation in coastal areas of far East Gippsland and south-eastern NSW. Historically, the subspecies was far more widespread.
The Broad-toothed Rat is declared Endangered in the ACT, NSW and Nationally.
Mastacomys fuscus is listed in the following regions:
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