This species occurs in a variety of humid forest habitats in the lower Orinoco and the greater Amazon basins (Gardner 2008). Preference appears to be for primary forest (Brosset and Charles-Dominique 1991). It is strongly associated with moist habitats and multistratal tropical evergreen forests (Eisenberg 1989). This species is strongly frugivorous and possibly feeds on pollen and nectar, fruit pulp and juices have been found in the stomach contents (Goodwin and Greenhall 1961, Gardner 1977). A single young is born annually (Eisenberg 1989).

This species occurs in the eastern portion of Colombia, southern Venezuela, the Guianas, Amazonian Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, and across much of Brazil, also Trinidad (Simmons 2005). According to Eisenberg (1989), this species of Sturnira replaces S. ludovici at low elevations over much of the South American continent.

Maintain intact habitat is an action required. The species occurs in a number of protected areas throughout its range.