Distribution

Today, carabid species occur between 78º 56' north latitude and 55º south latitude, and are present on every continent except Antarctica, although they used to be there too. They are found in a wide range of microhabitats including the subsoil, tree tops, sea beaches, cracks in intertidal rocks, at the margins of high mountain glaciers, and in caves (troglobites).

Many carabids have well-developed hind wings making them good flyers and dispersers, which explains their presence on most remote oceanic islands. Some islands have supported large radiations of certain lineages, for example there are 129 species of the genus Blackburnia in Hawaii; and 67 and 120 species of the genus Mecyclothorax in Tahiti and Hawaii, respectively. On the other hand, many species of carabids are flightless, their wings reduced by varying degrees. These species also occur on islands and, in Costa Rica, at higher altitudes in the mountains. Flightless carabids rarely occur at lower altitudes, but some do, such as Pelicium Kirby 1817.