It is found at elevations from 300 to 2,030 m (984 to 6,660 ft) in a variety of habitats, including cerrado, chaco, and heath pampas.

It was at one time thought to be a subspecies of the dark bolo mouse N. obscurus, and some authorities consider it to be a synonym of N.

[3] According to J. L. Patton, the Paraguayan bolo mouse is native to southeastern Peru, western Paraguay, and southwestern Brazil.

Reported sightings from eastern Bolivia and Jujuy and Chaco provinces in northern Argentina need re-evaluation because they may be of the much more widespread N.

It is assumed to have a large total population and is capable of tolerating disturbance to its habitat such as clearance of vegetation for cattle ranching.