In South Asia, this species is found in primary and secondary forests. It roosts among banana and bamboo trees, deep holes in trees and roofs of thatched huts in forested areas (Molur et al. 2002). In Myanmar, it is predominantly found in limestone caves, although it has also been recorded from forest areas without karst habitats. In Vietnam it is found in light pristine forests far from karst areas (S. Kruskop pers. comm.). It can be found in disturbed areas including agricultural land (Bates et al. 1997, P. Bates pers. comm.). Nothing is known about its reproduction biology.

This species is distributed in northern South Asia, southern China and parts of mainland Southeast Asia. In South Asia, this species is presently known from India (Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Nagaland), where it has been recorded from sea level to an elevation of 1,500 m asl (Molur et al. 2002). Mention for Pakistan (Kruskop 2013) based on a point on map published by Corbett and Hill (1992) and represents a definite mistake. In China, it is restricted to Yunnan (Smith and Xie 2008). In Southeast Asia, it has been recorded from Myanmar, northern Thailand (requires confirmation Bumrungsri et al. 2006), Lao PDR and Vietnam. In Vietnam it occurs sporadically, mainly at low elevations (Kruskop 2013).

It has been recorded from some protected areas in Southeast Asia (e.g. from Binchau-Phuocbuu and Yokdon in Vietnam). In South Asia, there are no direct conservation measures in place for this species and it has not been recorded from any protected areas. Further studies are needed into the distribution, abundance, reproduction and ecology of this species. Populations of this species should be monitored to record changes in abundance and distribution (Molur et al. 2002).