Occurs in Transkei Coastal Scarp forests and Amathole Mistbelt forests, sometimes marginally into adjacent grassland habitats (Maddock 1986). Not present in commercial forestry plantations, which abut or have replaced many indigenous forest patches. They have specific habitat requirements, selecting areas in forest patches with soft soils, well-developed undergrowth, and deep leaf-litter layers; but avoid steep slopes and rocky terrain (Bronner 2013). Apparently restricted to larger forest patches (Castley et al. 2000). They make short tunnels (1-13 m long) amidst the roots of trees, and forage mainly above ground in leaf litter, rooting for small invertebrates (especially giant earthworms and omniscomorph millipedes) and may even consume any small vertebrates they encounter (Bronner 2013).

Possibly present in a few small nature reserves in its range, and state-managed forest reserves, but conservation efficacy in such areas appears to be dubious. Field surveys are needed to establish the conservation status and threats faced by populations at the 17 localities this species is known to have occurred at in the past.