There are two centers of distribution: an area extending from the Iberian Peninsula to Morocco, including the Canary Islands; and an area extending through central and southern Africa.

Several species are recently described African endemics.

[1] They are most common in coastal areas, and in regions with a Mediterranean climate.

[1] Their most common natural habitat type is caves, where they feed on animal feces, especially bat guano.

They are adaptable to human-made structures such as barns and chicken coops.