It occurs at low densities in virgin forest/primary forest and is not known from disturbed areas. It has been recorded in lowland and sub-montane forests up to 1,500 m (Kingston et al. 2006, Francis 2008).

The species occurs in Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. It is recorded from Sabah (Yasuma and Andau 2000), and was found in the Crocker Range (E. Meijaard pers. comm.), Tawau Hills (Khan et al. pers com). In Peninsular Malaysia this species has been recorded in Wang Kelian State Park (Jayaraj et al. 2013), Bukit Hijau, Kedah (Lim et al. 2014), Maxwell Hill, Perak (Khan et al. 2008), Temenggor, Perak (Syaripuddin et al. 2014), Kledang Perak Saiong Forest Reserve, Perak (Joann et al. 2013), Air Panas-Gua Musang, Kelantan (Hasan et al. 2012), Tasik Kenyir, Terangganu (Syaripuddin et al. 2014), Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang (Kingston et al. 2006, Khan et al. 2008 ), Genung Benom and Tasik Bera, Pahang (Khan et al. 2008), Kemasul and Gunung Aais (Lim et al. 2014), Ulu Gombak, Selangor (Khan et al. 2008), Semangkok Forest Reserve, Selangor (Joann et al. 2013) and Gunung Panti and Labis Forest Reserve (Lim et al. 2014). In addition, this species also has been recorded in Peninsular Malaysia, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah (Norsham et al. 1999), Maxwell Hill, Perak (Medway 1969), Temengor Forest Reserve, Perak (Joann et al. 2011), Bukit Dendong, Terangganu (Yeap 2003), Krau Wildlie Reserve, Pahang (Zubaid 1993), Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan (Francis, 1995) with another similar name known as H. sabanus. In Borneo, this species occurs in Lawas and Mount Penrisen, Sarawak (Khan et al. 2008) and recently captured single individual in a virgin forest of Tama Abu Range, Miri Sarawak (unpub. data 2017).

The species occurs in some protected areas within its range.