Meegaskumbura and Schneider (2008) suggest splitting this species into 2 distinct taxa: S. montanus in Sri Lanka and S. niger in India.

This species is assessed as Least Concern as it has a relatively large extent of occurrence (EOO = 156,799 km²), and it is found in multiple protected areas. However, its habitat is under threat due to expansion of agriculture (e.g., plantations), pesticide use and forest fires. Research is needed to clarify population trends and distribution, and, in response to taxonomic updates, new reassessments of this species may be needed in the future.

This species occurs in Central, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces in Sri Lanka where it has been recorded between 64 to 2,524 m Asl (Meegaskumbura et al. 2010) and in Nilgiris, Palni hills and Coorg in the Western Ghats of southern India (Molur et al. 2005). It is also known to occur in Kalakad Mundanthuria Tiger Reserve in Southern Tamil Nadu and the Malnad region of the Central western Ghats (V. Ramachandran pers. comm. 2020).

Population numbers are not clearly understood, though populations may be decreasing given threats of habitat loss. It is more commonly trapped in the higher elevations of Coorg, above 900 m asl (S. Molur pers. comm.), between 800 and 1,350 in the Southern Western Ghats and around 800–1,000 in the Central Western Ghats. This species may be much more widespread than initially thought and is likely found in forested regions of the Central Western Ghats southwards above 800 m asl (V. Ramachandran pers. comm. 2020).

This species is recorded from the highland montane forests at 914–2,524 m asl, and in low hills above 150 m asl within the tropical rain forest of Sabaragamuwa in the southwestern and the southern provinces of Sri Lanka (Meegaskumbura et al. 2010). It has been recorded in undergrowth, rotting logs and leaves, as well as vegetation bordering streams. It has also been recorded within grasslands and organic plantations (Molur 2005). It has been noted that this species rarely enters human dwellings close to forests and is usually not associated with human habitation (Phillips 1980). Suncus montanus is nocturnal, but its frequent need to feed means it is not exclusively limited to nocturnal activity patterns, and it has been seen foraging during early mornings and late evenings (V. Ramachandran pers. comm. 2020). In captivity, this species has been shown to have a broad diet, including insects, seeds, fruit, reptiles, bird eggs and young mice.

Major threats include habitat loss due to expansion of agriculture (e.g., plantations), pesticide use and forest fires (Molur et al. 2005).

There are no known conservation measures in place for this species, however it is known from the following protected areas within Sri Lanka: Horton Plains National Park, Knuckles National Park and Sinharaja Forest (Phillips 1980, Molur et al. 2005, Meegaskumbura et al. 2010) and Southern India: Biligirirangan Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarhole National Park, Kudremukh National Park (Karnataka), Periyar Tiger Reserve ,Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala), and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu). Research of its population, ecology and taxonomy would be beneficial.