The species tends to be associated with forest habitats, with caves and deep crevices of large caves used as roosting sites (Bates and Harrison 1997, Smith and Xie 2008).). It has been collected from limestone caves in Myanmar (P. Bates pers. comm.).

This species is widely, but patchily, recorded in South Asia, mainland Southeast Asia and insular Southeast Asia with a single report from China. In South Asia, this species is presently known only from India (Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) in South Asia and has been recorded from sea level to 1,200 m asl (Molur et al. 2002). On the Southeast Asian mainland, this species occurs in southern Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Lao PDR. Within insular Southeast Asia, it has been recorded from Indonesia (Java and Sulawesi) and the island of Borneo (Kalimantan [Indonesia]), but is presumably more widespread in this region. In China, it is reportedly present in Yunnan although this needs confirmation (Wang 2002, Smith and Xie 2008). A record from Malaysia appears to be in error (see Medway 1969).

Within South Asia, there are no direct conservation measures in place, however, the species has been recorded from a number of protected areas in India such as Silent Valley National Park in Kerala and Bhimashanker Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra (Molur et al. 2002). There is a need to protect important roosting sites for this species throughout its range. Additional field surveys, studies into distribution, abundance, breeding biology, general ecology and population monitoring of this species are needed. It is declared as protected animals in Thailand.