Typically it is found in moist wooded areas, especially near breeding pools. The species is mostly terrestrial and it hides under logs, rocks or other objects when inactive. Eggs are laid and larvae develop in small temporary or permanent waters of ponds (including those in fields with nearby forest), marshes, ditches and swamps, especially those with standing plants, sticks or other debris. Males call usually from among herbaceous vegetation adjacent to or standing in water. In northern Minnesota, successful reproduction in acidic bog water either does not occur or is a rare event (Karns 1992). Individuals were found in ditches and artificial ponds, suggesting at least a degree of tolerance to habitat degradation.

This species occurs throughout the eastern United States of America, and adjacent eastern Canada, east to Labrador (Bergman 1999, Rashleigh and Crowell 2019), west to Manitoba, Minnesota, Iowa, eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas (Conant and Collins 1991). It is absent from southern Florida. It was formerly believed to have been introduced in Cuba (Schwartz and Henderson 1991), but it has not been found there (Powell and Henderson 1999).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is present in several protected areas throughout its range.

Conservation Needed
No conservation measures are needed at present.