This is a nocturnal, and largely ground-dwelling, species of lowland tropical humid forest. It appears to be limited to forests on lateritic soils, and is seldom encountered outside forest, although there are apparently records from degraded forest (Schreiber et al. 1989). 

Broad-striped Vontsira probability of occupancy was positively associated with small mammal activity, but negatively correlated with proximity to villages. It was recorded more often and had a higher probability of occupancy in non-degraded, contiguous forest sites (Farris and Kelly 2011, Farris et al. in review a). Broad-striped Vontsira had an extremely low activity and resulting probability of occupancy in highly fragmented and degraded sites with only a single capture in fragmented forests more than 5 km from contiguous forest.

Broad-striped Vontsira was primarily recorded in duos and is exclusively nocturnal (Farris et al. in review b).

There are few details available on reproduction in this species (Goodman 2003). Its morphology indicates that it is capable of predating species at or possibly above its body weight.

This species is endemic to Madagascar, now known from Marojejy National Park (Hawkins 2012), around 100 km north of its previously recognised range, throughout the eastern rainforest as far south as Andohahela (Goodman 2012). It occurs in the lowlands typically up to around 700 m asl (Goodman 2003); there is only one record from over 700 m, at 1,500 m asl (Goodman 2012, S.M. Goodman pers. comm.).

Broad-striped Vontsira has been recorded from a number of protected areas, including Marojejy, Masoala, Zahamena and Ranomafana National Parks. Further studies into the ecology of this little-known species are needed to allow a more informed assessment of its conservation status and needs.