Tomb bats are found in a variety of habitats, including rainforest, open woodland, and fairly arid country. They roost in tombs, old buildings, rock crevices, caverns in rocky deserts, shallow caves, cliffs along seashores, and trees. T. longimanus is often found in the top of coconut palms. Tomb bats are quite agile and active in crawling around crevices and rock walls and sometimes cling on vertical walls. They are numerous in certain large tombs.
Hibernation is suggested by the seasonal accumulation of fat.
Some species emit a loud cry in flight. Tomb bats are strong fliers. They may begin feeding before dusk at heights of 60-90 meters, coming down to lower levels as the evening progresses. The diet consists of flying insects. While roosting, each individual T. melanopogon occupies a definite vertical territory, and males and females may be in separate areas.