This species inhabits arboreal strata in rainforest, subtropical forest and marginal forest, as well as semi-natural areas such as plantations, secondary vegetation and abandoned human settlement areas. It seems to prefer thick, closed vegetation, although it is also found in the upper, open canopy area of the trees.

Nocturnal and solitary, C. philander is the best field studied species of its genus. It is highly arboreal, it is rarely taken on the ground and is strongly associated with moist habitats. Although most specimens have been taken in multistratal evergreen forests, this species is adaptable, and has been caught in orchards. Subpopulations can become isolated with habitat destruction, as it can not cross open areas of more than a few hundred metres (Brito pers. comm.). It often shelters in tree cavities, where it constructs a nest of dead leaves. Although its diet is primarily fruit, it also includes gum, nectar, small vertebrates and invertebrates. It is not known to exhibit torpor (Eisenberg and Redford 1999).

Litter size is four to six, and gestation is assumed to be about 14 days. The young remain in the mother’s pouch for approximately 80 days, then enter a nest phase for another 30 days. During the nest phase the mother returns from her nocturnal forays to nurse. Young disperse from the natal nest at about 130 days of age. The female does not breed until she is approximately one year old. Maternal care is prolonged. Females can produce three litters a year, but if there is a seasonal scarcity of food she will probably not rear more than one litter each year (Atramentowicz 1982, O’Connell 1979).

This species ranges from northern Venezuela to northeastern and southcentral Brazil, including Margarita Island, Trinidad, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname. It can be found up to 1,800 m asl (Eisenberg and Redford 1999, Emmons and Feer 1997). In Venezuela, it is found from sea level to 1,200 m asl (Lew pers. comm.).

This species occurs in a number of protected areas.