It inhabits treeless, grasslands and dry shrublands in temperate-cold arid Patagonia and restricted portions of the Monte ecoregions. This species is mainly terrestrial but can climb well, and dig into light substrates (Martin and Udrizar Sauthier 2011). The diet consists of insects, mice, small birds and probably fruits, depending on abundance and availability (Martin 2008, Martin and Udrizar Sauthier 2011, Geiser and Martin 2013, Zapata et al. 2013). Zapata et al. (2013) argued in favor of an opportunistic feeding behavior, characterized by the consumption of arthropods (87.2% frequency of occurrence), followed by birds and reptiles (10.6%), and a small proportion of fruits.

The species is widely distributed in the extra-Andean Patagonia, with many records in Chubut, the central-northern part of Santa Cruz, and the western region of Río Negro; as well as some scattered localities in the central La Pampa, Neuquén, and Mendoza (Formoso et al. 2015). Its distribution has changed from the Pleistocene to the Recent period, shifting from the south-central Pampas region to the south-central Patagonia, apparently in association with climatic changes that occurred during this time period (Formoso et al. 2015). The species is found in xeric environments of the Patagonia and Monte phytogeographic provinces (sensu Olson et al. 2001).

Despite its wide distribution, the species has limited effective protection within Nahuel Huapi and Lihué Calel National Parks, the Petrified Forests National Monument, and some provincial reserves (e.g., Somuncurá Plateau). This is mainly due to the lack of protected areas in Patagonian Steppe and Monte environments, where most records are found.