[2] It is endemic to Madeira, where it occurs on three islands in the archipelago.

It has a limited range but it is an abundant snail where it does occur.

The subspecies C. abjectus nesiotes occurs mostly on Bugio and has been found at one site on Deserta Grande.

There its habitat has been degraded by the overgrazing of introduced goats.

The goat population has been reduced as a conservation measure for the habitat on the islands, improving the outlook for the snail subspecies.