Arctocubus aureus occurs at low to medium elevations. Confined to vine tangles and areas with abundant young (or slow-growing) leafy stems in the understorey of moist evergreen, lowland rainforests and high deciduous forest, especially in tree-fall areas. The species also frequents plantations and farmland edges (Bearder et al. 2003, Nekaris 2013). Large vertical branches are never climbed because the small, narrow hands and feet of this species are adapted only to close around stems less than 6 cm in diameter, preferring dense vegetation as it provides continuous walkways. This species avoids climbing higher than 15 m (it mostly lives below 5 m) due to heightened competition from birds, less consistent insect resources, more exposure to wind, sun and predators, and fewer thin-branched tangles to shelter in (Nekaris & Bearder 2011). Arctocebus aureus uses tree forks and dense tangles of vegetation as sleeping sites, sleeping singly except for mothers with infants (Bearder et al. 2003, Nekaris 2013). Dietary staples are invertebrates, and they frequently descend to the forest floor to forage on insects and fallen fruits (Ambrose 2013). Caterpillars of all species are eaten, including hairy and distasteful species that are avoided by other insect-predators. The females give birth to one infant twice per year (Ambrose 2013, Nekaris 2013).

Arctocebus aureus is endemic to western Central Africa and may occur from the Sanaga River in Cameroon, through Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo to the Congo River/Ubangi River in Central African Republic, but with a very localised and patchy distribution. The range limits of this species are poorly known.

Arctocebus aureus is protected by law in Gabon. It is listed as Class B under the African Convention, and under Appendix II of CITES. It presumably occurs in a number of national parks throughout the range. This is a poorly known species in need of further research.