This is a diurnal, part-ground-dwelling, part-arboreal species found in dry deciduous forest. During the night, animals sleep in burrows, or holes in both fallen and standing trees and in similar shelters. It is usually found in family groups of 6-8. The gestation period is between 74 and 106 days after which a single young is born (Razafimanantsoa 2003).

This species is endemic to the dry deciduous forests of the central and southern Menabe regions of western Madagascar from sea level to about 125 m asl. It is found between the Tsiribihina River in the north to south of the Manombo River (Razafimanantsoa 2003, Goodman et al. 2005). The precise southern limits of the nominate subspecies' range remain unclear (Woolaver et al. 2006), but it does not extend south of the large Mangoky river, a significant biogeographical boundary. Mungotictis decemlineata lineata has recently been rediscovered south of this river (Goodman et al. 2005).

This species is present in the Central Menabe provisional protected area, Kirindy Mitea National Park, and Andranomena Special Reserve (at extremely low densities).