This species is generally associated with both savanna and gallery forest habitats. It has also been found in lowveld, sparsely wooded transition areas, riverine forest, dense thornscrub and tropical moist forest (Taylor 1998; Menzies 1973; Rosevear 1965; Happold 1987). Populations roost caves, mine adits and in crevices amongst piles of boulders. Animals have also been found roosting in a baobab tree, water wells (Koopman et al. 1978) and buildings (Rosevear 1965).

This species has been widely reported from much of sub-Saharan Africa. It ranges from Senegal and The Gambia in the west, through most of West and Central Africa to Sudan and Ethiopia in the east. The species has been recorded as far south as eastern South Africa. Populations have been reported at an altitude of 2,000 m Asl on Mount Elgon in Kenya (Aggundey and Schlitter, 1984). On Cameroon Mountain they have been taken at an altitude of 1,200 m Asl and at 900 m Asl on Bintamane Mountain in Sierra Leone (Rosevear, 1965).

In view of the species wide range it seems probable that it is present in some protected areas. No direct conservation measures are currently needed for this species as a whole.