This species occurs in a variety of habitats within tropical West Africa including the Guineo-Congolian lowland tropical moist forests of the Upper Guinea forest block and the adjoining mosaic of lowland tropical moist forest and secondary grassland. In the Mount Nimba area species was caught mostly in areas of secondary bush or cultivated land, in preference to primary forest; it was rarely caught within closed forest, but did occur in the fringes (Wolton et al.1982). It is mostly a lowland species, avoiding higher altitudes, but has been captured up to 1,200 m above sea level at Mount Nimba (Monadjem 2011). Similar observations on habitat were reported from other Liberian forests (Monadjem and Fahr 2007). Hence, this species appears to prefer disturbed forest and forest edge over primary forest, and is more abundant in lower-lying forests than those at higher altitudes. Populations have also been recorded from swamp forest and mangroves. Animals are typically found singly or in small groups.

This West African bat ranges from Senegal and Guinea-Bissau in the west, to central Nigeria in the east.

Current conservation efforts

This species has been recorded from a number of protected areas in West Africa (Mickleburgh et al. 1992), and in fact appears to thrive outside of these protected areas.

Conservation needs/priorities

Studies are needed on the species’ population sizes, distribution, and extent of occurrence throughout its range. Monitoring of population sizes and locations over time are also important to establish whether these are stable or experiencing trends of decline.

The threats to these bats are poorly understood. Studies are needed on the species’ natural history and habitat requirements and the relationship between habitat and population sizes. Further studies are needed into the dependence of this species on forested areas, and its tolerance of deforestation and habitat degradation.