Animals have typically been recorded from lowland savanna, shrubland, and the coastal strip, and in some instances may be observed in river valleys (Varty and Hill 1988; Csada 1996). It roosts alone, or in small numbers, in caves, hollow trees and abandoned buildings (Kingdon 1974; Vaughn 1976; Ryan and Tuttle 1987; Csada 1996; Pearch et al. 2001).

This East African species is distributed from north-east Sudan (near the Red Sea) south to central Tanzania. The distribution extends from the border area of Uganda and Sudan in the west, to east Somalia (near the tip of the Horn of Africa) in the east. Highest altitudinal record is 940 m Asl (Csada 1996).

The species has been recorded from protected areas in Kenya (e.g. Tsavo West National Park [Vaughn 1976; Aggundey and Schlitter 1984]) and is likely to be present in protected areas in some other East African countries. Additional studies are needed into the impact of disturbance on this species.