Two Harbors Investment Corp. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 281,145	$ 262,562
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Held for Securities Trading Activity [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	12,560	12,550
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Held for Derivatives Trading Activity [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	217,695	130,355
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Pledged as Restricted Collateral for Borrowings [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	50,543	119,310
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Held by Counterparties [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	280,798	262,215
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents for Lease [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 347	$ 347