This species has been recorded from a variety of habitats, ranging from lowland tropical moist forest into both moist and dry savanna. While it most often roosts in hollow trees, it has also been recorded roosting in small caves and in thatched house roofs. In the Parc National du ‘W’ in Niger Republic, 300 km west of Sokoto, they have been found roosting in groups of 10-20 individuals in thatched huts and others were found in abandoned mine shafts (Poché, 1975). Happold (1987), notes that they are solitary or live in small groups.

This widespread African species ranges from Senegal in the west, to Somalia in the east, being recorded as far south as northern Botswana. It has been recorded between sea level and 2,200 m Asl.

In view of the species wide range it is presumably present in some protected areas (it has been found in at least one, i.e. Parc National du ‘W’ [Poché, 1975]). No direct conservation measures are currently needed for this species as a whole.