The type specimen of Syconycteris carolinae was from undisturbed primary forest on (Rozendaal 1984). Based on subsequent research and insights from the closely related S. australis (Aplin and Armstrong 2016), the species is most common in moderately disturbed areas, such as secondary forest and gardens (Flannery 1995). Approximately 60 individuals were captured in forests disturbed by timber-cutting and converted to fields to grow dry rice (Flannery 1995). Research is needed to illuminate the species roosting and foraging preference and other aspects of its ecology.

This species is endemic to Halmahera Island in the north Moluccas in Indonesia where it has been confirmed at three sites (Rozendaal 1984, Koopman and Gordon 1992, Flannery 1995). The type locality for this species is the south base of Gamkunora (01°20'N, 127°31'E; 180 m), Halmahera Island in Indonesia (Rozendaal 1984). These limited surveys suggest it is found at lower elevations Syconycteris carolinae is assumed to be absent from the small islands of Tidore and Ternate as it was not detected during intensive survey expeditions (Flannery 1995); it may be extant on Bacan Island. Research is needed to determine the species full distribution.