Paucidentomys vermidax is larger than
Melasmothrix naso,
Sommeromys macrorhinos and
Tateomys macrocercus, similar in size to
Tateomys rhinogradoides, smaller than
Rhynchomys soricoides and substantially smaller than species of
Echiothrix. The face is more elongate than that of any other Sulawesi shrew-rat, but similar in this regard to
Rhynchomys. It has a very long
rostrum (relative to other Sulawesi shrew-rats), small eyes, large ears, a soft
pelage and a long, thick, hairy and
dorsoventrally bicoloured tail.
Unique dentition Paucidentomys vermidax is the only known rodent with no
molars, which is an adaptation to its diet which may be exclusively
earthworms (it appears to be a specialist
vermivore based on the stomach contents of one individual). Moreover, rather than gnawing
incisors, this animal has
bicuspid upper incisors, which is also unique among the more than 2,200 species of rodents. The upper incisors are short with an anterior cusp and slightly inferior posterior cusp; these cusps are connected by a sharp, concave cutting edge at the
lateral margin of the tooth. The
pterygoid plate is absent. The
dentary is long and delicate, lacking significant muscle attachment points. The lower incisors are unicuspid, procumbent, sharp and delicate. Its
dental formula is . ==Distribution==