The species is found from rainforests to treeless plains and inhabits a wide variety of other environments, roosting in tree hollows, caves, and buildings. The colonies that they form may have anywhere from ten to more than one thousand members, and females usually give birth to a single young. An insectivorous bat whose prey is obtained in flight, typically beneath the
tree canopy, consists almost of moths. The distribution range is southern areas of the Australian continent, with two remote populations located in a central region and in the
Pilbara. Some groups also show a preference to roost in either trees or caves. Areas inhabited by the
Chalinolobus morio include expansive caves on the
Nullarbor Plain, where they occur in large numbers, in other areas they occupy
tree hollows. The species is often found in the country's southern urban environments. They are one of several locally common bats within the city of
Canberra, noted for its seasonal feast of
bogong moths that are drawn toward the
Parliament House.
C. morio is also found in Tasmania and in its capital
Hobart, one of the small number of species to occur in the state. In Tasmania, they roost in the hollows of large eucalypts and other trees as caves are unsuitable for bats in the colder climate; it is assumed they also occupy the many old buildings. They are the first bats to rouse after
hibernation and can feed without competition from other species for several weeks. The city of
Adelaide, South Australia, contains extensive parkland that this bat, with around a dozen other species, use for foraging and roosts; they are often observed hunting with other bats around street lights. In
Perth, Western Australia, the bat is found adjacent to the city centre at
Kings Park, they are also found at the cave systems to the south in the
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Chalinolobus morio abide in caves, sometimes buildings, but more commonly in tree hollows; the
old-growth forest that provides suitable hollows for the species is greatly reduced in the
southwest region. In the Pilbara region,
Chalinolobus morio is one of three geographically isolated bat populations, the other two being the orange leaf-nosed
Rhinonicteris aurantia and ghost bat
Macroderma gigas. The bat forages at
riparian habitat in this region.
Chalinolobus morio is one of several bats that adopt the nests of the fairy martin,
Petrochelidon ariel, when the bird vacates after the breeding season. The nest is spout-shaped and constructed with mud, often occurring in a secluded section beneath concrete bridges. The species is also inhabits roof cavities. == Conservation ==