The moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura) is not closely related to rats or other rodents. It is classified under Order Erinaceomorpha, the same group which includes hedgehogs and gymnures, that feed primarily on insects as well as other arthropods.

In Peninsular Malaysia, the moonrat is generally black and white in colour, with the face covered by white fur and marked by three prominent black patches. Another subspecies, Echinosorex gymnura alba is found in Borneo and appears to be generally white with only a sparse scattering of black hairs, although those from western Borneo have more black hairs than those from the eastern region. The moonrat has a long, mobile nose which has a groove on its underside, from the tip to a point between the upper incisors. Its body is long and narrow and the canine teeth are usually larger than the adjacent teeth. Commonly, it weighs up to 1.4 kg and its body is 26 to 45 cm in length with a 17 to 29 cm long tail (Britannica, 2005).

Its natural distribution includes the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra and also the island of Labuan. It prefers primary and secondary lowland forests, moist areas such as mangrove forests and swamp forest, and also rubber plantations located next to rainforests.