Although seemingly relatively adaptable in the east of the island, having been recorded in secondary woodland habitats such as relict trees in and around vanilla and oil-palm plantations (Langrand 1990), the species only occurs in such area where these are close to areas of primary habitat (Morris and Hawkins 1998). It inhabits all types of intact native woodland, including humid forest in the north and east, and dry forest in the south and west (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Raherilalao & Wilmé 2008), and has been shown to be particularly dependent on primary forest habitat and sensitive to forest edge and habitat disturbance, and therefore also fragmentation (Rocha et al. 2015, Benjara et al. 2020). It is occasionally seen in mangroves (del Hoyo et al. 1992). It usually feeds in pairs on the forest floor, eating invertebrates and small vertebrates including frogs and reptiles (Morris and Hawkins 1998), and it nests in large trees within the forest. Studies of camera trap footage in north-eastern Madagascar showed a positive correlation between occurrences of Spotted Fanolaka Fossa fossana and presence of Madagascar Crested Ibis (Murphy et al. 2017), suggesting a preference for similar habitat types. 
Breeding occurs at the start of the rainy season (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The nest is a large platform made of branches, usually in major forks of trees, 7-15 m above the forest floor. It may lay two eggs, but usually three. The species is presumed to be sedentary, although there are uncorroborated past claims that eastern populations are migratory (del Hoyo et al. 1992).

This species is endemic to Madagascar, where it is widespread and locally common, occurring in all types of native forest from sea-level to 2,000 m, including 44 Important Bird Areas (52% of the national total) (Dee 1986, Langrand 1990, ZICOMA 1999, Raherilalao & Wilmé 2008). These include the Protected Areas of Analalava Forest, Oronjia and Beampingaratsy (Missouri Botanical Garden 2014, 2015, Rakotomalala et al. 2021), the Mahimborondro Protected Area where it is only found in primary montane forest (Mittermeier et al. 2021), Benamevika Protected Area, where its occurrence is reduced close to the forest edges (Benjara et al. 2021), and it is decreasingly found in Masoala and Makira National Parks (Murphy et al. 2017). 
It may be somewhat tolerant to degraded and secondary habitats, such as vanilla plantations, but still requires specific conditions, preferring more dense, shaded and damp habitats, and tends to be absent from forest edges (Collar 2013, Matheu et al. 2020, Benjara et al. 2021).

Conservation Actions Underway
The species is protected from hunting within protected areas (L-A. Réné de Roland in litt. 2024), although it is still hunted and trapped within these areas (Rakotomalala et al. 2021).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to obtain an estimate of the population size. Monitor rates of deforestation, forest degradation and fragmentation. Monitor rates of hunting, trapping and nest-robbing. Enforce and increase legislation that protects the species from hunting and trapping. Increase and enforce legislation on illegal ignition of forest fires or habitat close to forests. Place more areas of the species' habitat under protection. Conduct further research into its ecology. Restore forest habitat between remnant intact forest patches to increase connectivity and reduce fragmentation.