This species may be threatened by deforestation of its habitat, but due to the lack of information on its exact range it is difficult to assess the impact of this threat. It is likely subjected to hunting, but there is no information on the intensity and the degree to which this constitutes a threat.

This little-known species is endemic to the Peruvian yungas (subtropical montane forests), where it occurs at elevations of 2000 – 3500 m. It is found in areas with dense or shady cover and limestone formations. Nothing is known about its population status, activity patterns, movements, or home range.

Dasypus pilosus is endemic to Peru. It has been recorded only from the south-western Peruvian Andes in the departments of San Martín, La Libertad, Huánuco, Junín, and Amazonas. However, due to the lack of field studies the exact range of this species is not known. Recent distribution models suggest that the species may also occur in the departments of Cajamarca, Huancavelica, Ayacucho and Puno, but its presence in these areas needs to be confirmed.

Dasypus pilosus is listed as Data Deficient because of the lack of information on its exact range, threats, and population data. It has only been recorded from a handful of localities, but it is not known whether these records represent isolated subpopulations due to the lack of field studies.