These bats are found in mountainous or relatively rugged areas, inhabiting primarily coniferous forests, although they may sometimes be found in oak or riparian woodlands and even desert areas (Wilson and Ruff 1999). They establish roosts in trees, including large ponderosa pine sags, rock crevices, fissures in stream banks, and abandoned buildings. Caves and mines are not used in the day, but M. volans can be captured there at night (van Zyll de Jong 1985) or when they hibernate (Wilson and Ruff 1999). By migrating locally, these bats may shift habitat seasonally. These bats form large nursery colonies, which may number in the hundreds. These colonies occur most commonly in trees. Mating occurs before they enter hibernation in late August or September. Mature females produce one offspring, although it is unknown at what age sexual maturity is reached. Time of parturition varies with latitude. Young are born in late June and July. It is speculated that most juvenile males are sexually active. Banded individuals have been recorded living to 21 years of age (Nagorsen and Brigham 1993, van Zyll de Jong 1985). Flight is stronger, more direct, and with less flutter than most other bats of the genus. These bats begin emerging from the daytime roost well before dark, fill their stomachs within about 0.5 hour of foraging, and retire to some shelter such as a building, cave, or mine for a night resting period. These bats feed mainly upon moths but have been known to eat a variety of other, mostly soft-bodied, insects such as flies, termites, lacewings, wasps, true bugs, leaf-hoppers, and small beetles (Warner and Czaplewski 1984).

The species is found from Jalisco to Veracruz (Mexico), Alaska Panhandle (USA) to Baja California (Mexico), east to Northern Nuevo León (Mexico), South Dakota (USA), and Central Alberta (Canada) (Simmons 2005).

Some forest management practices can affect availability of key resources; but, probably this bat is secure throughout much of range. Through its distributional range, this species occurs in several protected areas. Winter distribution and threats are poorly known.