The species is present in pine and oak forests, most often on calciferous substrate, in open, very rocky landscapes. Adults occur in rock fissures and on stones next to water sources. Reproduction and larval development takes place in permanent mountain streams, man-made reservoirs and cattle troughs, and the larvae may take a long time to mature. Almost all known breeding habitats are human-modified water bodies.

Based on its congener Alytes obstetricans, which occurs in similar habitats, the generation length for this species is estimated to be seven years.

This species is restricted to the mountains of southeastern Spain. It occurs between 700–2,510 m asl (Sierra Nevada, Almería). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 36,748 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention. It is listed in regional Red Data Books and is present in the protected areas of Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, Parque Natural Sierra de Baza, Parque Natural Sierra de Castril, Parque Natural Sierra de Huétor, Parque Natural Sierra Tejeda y Almijara and Parque Natural of de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas. Protection measures in Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia, such as restoration and construction of new breeding habitats, are under way. There is also a conservation program focusing on mitigating chytridiomycosis in Andalucía, where there are captive populations for ex situ conservation programs. A pilot disinfection program for chytridiomycosis is underway by the regional government of Andalucía (J. Bosch pers. comm. November 2019), with the same measure that were utilised for Alytes muletensis (e.g. habitat disinfection- see Bosch et al. 2015).

Conservation Needed
Continued maintenance of efforts to tackle chytridiomycosis are necessary for the conservation of this species.

Research Needed
Population monitoring is required.