This species has been recorded from montane and steep rocky, and steep sided areas. Animals have been reported from montane tropical moist forest (at 1,300 m asl), tropical lowland forest (Feiler [1984] recorded a specimen from natural forest at 800 m asl), from an area with remnants of original vegetation (just north of Pico de São Tomé) (Sayer et al. 1992), and from cocoa plantations. The species appears to prefer the forested mountain zones but may be found to live in plantation areas and avoids the coastal zone and the northern dry part of the island. (Juste and Ibáñez 1994, Bergmans 1997). The species is unique in being the only extant mammal presenting an asymetrical dental formula fixed in the population (Juste and Ibáñez, 1993).

This species is endemic to the uplands of São Tomé Island (São Tomé and Príncipe). It is absent from the northern part of the island. It has only been recorded from three localities, and no colonies have been reported. Animals have been recorded between 300 and 1,300 m asl.

There appear to be no direct conservation measures in place. It is not confirmed  if the species is present in any protected areas, although is expected in mountain forest  within the protected area of Lagoa Amelia. There is a need to protect suitable areas of remaining natural habitat for this species, with additional research required into the persistence of populations in modified habitats (such as cocoa plantations). Further surveys are needed to identify additional localities for this species, and to better understand its natural history, potential seasonal movements within the island and ecological requirements.