It lives on vegetation inside montane forests and in a variety of habitats ranging from wet montane meadows to dry rocky hillsides, bromeliads, agave plants, corn fields and even parks on the margins of urban areas (Chasiluisa et al. 2020). It is often found close to water sources such as pools, streams, drainage areas, and irrigation canals. The eggs are carried in a pouch on the back of the female, and the larvae are deposited in still water or very slow-flowing streams where they develop further.

This species is restricted to the Andes and inter-Andean valleys in northern and central Ecuador from Carchi south to Chimborazo province. Its elevational range is 1,590–3,220 m asl (Duellman 2015, Chasiluisa et al. 2020). The extent of occurrence (EOO) of its mapped range is 19,535 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species has been recorded from Reserva Ecológica Los Ilinizas, Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas, Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Pasochoa, and Reserva de Producción Faunística Chimborazo.

Conservation Needed
This species would likely benefit from improved habitat protection at sites where it is known to occur.

Research Needed
Population monitoring is needed to better understand trends in this formerly common species.