It is strongly associated with multistratal tropical evergreen forest; also can be found in plantations and gardens. These bats may be found roosting in small groups of 1 to 4 adults with their young under foliage of subcanopy trees (7 to 12 m above ground), shrub branches, or under palm leaves; the leaves are not modified to form a tent, but few roosts have been reported (Emmons and Feer 1997). Group composition is stable, but roost sites change almost daily. The group consists of small harems of 2 to 3 females and one male, sometimes with associated young. Day roosts include foliage, branches, and palm fronds where groups of two to four have been recorded (Goodwin and Greenhall 1961). Although sometimes caught in ground-level mist nets, this species usually flies 3 m or more above ground. Figs are the principal food source, other fruits and pollen or nectar may also be taken. Feeds on fruit, especially figs (Goodwin and Greenhall 1961). Pregnant females have been been captured in July, September, October, November, December, and January (Velazco and Simmons 2011).

This species is known from eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, Peru, northern Bolivia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil (Velazco and Simmons 2011). This is a more restricted definition, excluding populations from Middle America and those on northwestern South America (W Colombia and W Ecuador). It occurs mainly below 1,000 m elevation.

Retention of forest habitats is needed. The species occurs in a number of protected areas throughout its range.