It lives in montane forest near streams. Eggs are laid in the leaf-litter, and the males carry the larvae to running and standing water for development. It does not occur in severely affected areas, but can survive in forest fragments next to pastures. Studies in captivity have shown that male mating success increased with male calling rate and chirp duration (Forsman and Hagman 2006).

This species was previously known only from seven localities and is now known from more than twenty localities on the Andean slopes of the provinces of Cotopaxi and Bolívar, in Ecuador at 600-1,770 m asl (Coloma et al. 2013, Lötters et al. 2007, Forsman and Hagman 2006, Christmann 2004, Graham et al. 2004, Santos et al. 2003). The updated extent of occurrence (EOO) of the current known range is 6,864 km², which is thought to represent five to ten threat-defined locations.

Conservation Actions In-Place
It has not been recorded in any protected areas. It is listed on CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Needed
Expanded protection of the remaining montane forest within the range of the species' is recommended. 

Research Needed
The possible impact of overharvesting for medicinal use, and commercial trade in wild specimens, requires further investigation. Additional surveys are also needed to improve the understanding of the species' population size, distribution and trend.