W. Mediterranean to Namibia. Subtidal to continental shelf, in sand, muddy sand and in coralligen, mostly at about 100m deep. The species is said to be « more common in deeper water » (Verhecken 2007; link given further down). Predator.

The shell of similis is, as its name suggests, similar to that of cancellata. It differs by « its less-shouldered whorls, and its smoother and less coarse macrosculpture, axial ribs less pronounced, a finer and more elaborate spiral sculpture: between the main spiral cords, second order and third order spirals can be seen on shells in pristine condition; these are lacking on B. cancellata. The spiral bands in B. cancellata are more pronounced than in B. similis. […] The distinction can already be made on the first half teleoconch whorl, where B. similis has 5-7 close-set rugose spirals with no or only very faint axials; while B. cancellata has 4 or 5 distant spirals forming a coarse cancellated pattern with the clearly present axials. » – A. Verhecken: “Revision of the Cancellariidae of the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean”, Zoosystema 29(2), June 2007.