Allocebus is typically found in intact moist forest, though it seems to tolerate moderate levels of human activity (Mittermeier et al. 2008). The diet consists of nectar, fruit, gums (primarily of Terminalia, Combretaceae), young leaves, honey, and insects (especially locusts). Spotted often in tangles of brush or lianas, it appears to forage in these areas at lower levels of the forest. It is nocturnal and has been observed in pairs (presumably male/female), with offspring, and singly. Groups of two to six nest in holes of larger trees and prefer to complement the nest with straw, even covering themselves with it in captivity (Meier and Albignac 1991). Individuals use from four to five tree holes, showing high nest fidelity (Biebouw et al. 2009). This species' home ranges appear to be 5.4 to 15.4 ha,which is larger compared to other Cheirogaleidae species (Biebouw 2009). Oestrus is believed to occur at the beginning of the wet season (November–December), with births taking place in January and February (Meier and Albignac 1991). Gestation period and longevity are unknown.

This species is endemic to the island of Madagascar. By 1989, there had only been sightings on both sides of the Mananara River (Meier and Albignac 1991), and the species was thought to be restricted to lowland rainforests of that area. Since 1994, however, field programmes were initiated (Yoder 1996) which documented its presence in Analamazaotra Special Reserve (Garbutt 2001), Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (Schütz and Goodman 1998, Schmid and Smolker 1998), Antsahanadraitry forest (Miller et al. 2015), Masoala National Park (Sterling and Rakotoarison 1998), Mananara-Nord National Park, Marojejy National Park (Goodman and Raselimanana, 2002), Marotandrano Special Reserve (Mittermeier et al. 2008), Forêt de Vohidrazana (Rakotoarison et al. 1997), Zahamena Strict Nature Reserve and National Park (Rakotoarison 1995a and b). This species has also been noted by direct observation and communication in Ambatovy Classified Forest (E. E. Louis Jr. pers. comm.), Bemanevika Strict Reserve (J. Mittermeier and N. Bezandry pers. comm.), Maromizaha Forest (J. R. Zaonarivelo pers. comm.), Vohimana Forest (12 km east of Andasibe; N. Garbutt pers. comm.). This species has been recorded from near sea-level to 1,000-1,600 m.

It has been estimated that there will be a 64% reduction in the species' range from 2000 to 2080 due to climate change (Brown and Yoder 2015). More generally, this species is likely affected by national trends in forest habitat loss: Madagascar lost 37% of its forest cover from 1973 to 2014, with an annual deforestation rate of 1.1%/year from 2010 to 2014. Almost half of Madagascar's forests (46%) is now located within less than 100 metres from the forest edge (Vieilledent et al. 2018).