This species is insectivorous and forages terrestrially in leaf litter (Woodman and Matson 2008). This species consumes a diversity of invertebrates that includes centipedes, earthworms, pill bugs, snails, spiders, and the larvae, pupae, and adults of a variety of insects. and individuals It occurs in cloud forest and páramo (Handley 1976, Aagaard 1982, Durant and Díaz 1995, Hutterer 2005). The species is also found in "Coloradito", high Andean stands of arborescent Polylepis and Espeletia in sheltered areas surrounded by páramo (Aagaard 1982, Woodman and Díaz de Pascual 2004). It tolerates various degrees of habitat disturbance, and is found in the following types of habitat: primary closed-canopy cloud forest, disturbed forest (including burned), secondary scrub along streams, disturbed cloud forest-páramo transition, and open páramo (Handley 1976, Woodman and Díaz de Pascual 2004).

This species can be relatively abundant in mammal communities in which it occurs. Reproduction occurs throughout the year. Pregnant or lactating females we captured at Monte Zerpa Cloud Forest in every month of the year, with the greatest proportion of pregnant females in April and the fewest in July and December. The typical litter consists of 3 pups, with a known range of 2-4 pups (Woodman and Diaz de Pascual 2004).

This species in endemic to the Venezuelan Andes, and occurs in the central and southern portion of the Cordillera de Mérida, in Mérida and Táchira states, between 1,640 and 3,950 m of elevation (Woodman and Diaz de Pascual 2004). The species probably occurs throughout the Cordillera, although there are no records from the northern part of the range (Woodman and Díaz de Pascual 2004).

The species is found in protected areas.