It is an entirely aquatic species. Adults appear to prefer muddy or sandy areas with rocks and vegetation, while juveniles exhibit a strong preference for rocky habitats (Genova 2011). Its diet is diverse, but primarily consists of gastropods and crustaceans (Pérez 1998). Reproduction occurs in shallow waters close to Lake Titicaca's shoreline, in submerged aquatic vegetation (Elodea sp.), at depths between 2–15 m (Genova 2011, Flores 2013). In a year-long analysis by Pérez (1998), it has been determined that the species is able to reproduce all year, although they have been seen in amplexus only in winter months (May–November). There is variation throughout the year in the number of eggs per clutch: 115 eggs were recorded during the month of May, 777–866 eggs during October and 941 eggs during February (Pérez 1998). More recent data recorded between 200 and 500 eggs in the wild (A. Muñoz pers. comm. March 2016). In captivity, clutch size varies from 23–450 eggs in Peru (Pérez Bejar 2002, 2005; L. Bermudez pers. comm.) to 173–475 eggs in Bolivia (A. Muñoz pers. comm. March 2016). Eggs are placed in groups of 20–50 eggs on aquatic plants in different areas. Metamorphosis takes about four months (Pérez Bejar 2005). The generation length is estimated to be 14 years (Bolivia Red List Assessment Workshop September 2019).

This species is endemic to Lake Titicaca on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It has also been found in the neighbouring Lago Saracocha, Lago Umayo, Lago Chajchora, Laguna Arapa, Río Ilave, and Laguna de Alonso (E. Ramos pers. comm. 2018). It occurs at an elevation of 3,810 m asl, and its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 18,563 km², which represents a single threat-defined location.

Conservation Actions In-Place

In situ actions
It is present in the Titicaca National Reserve (TNR), but it is insufficient for effective conservation. In the TNR, there are several environmental problems: a) poor solid waste disposal near Uros Chulluini, Carata, Kapy-Uros; b) dumping of sewage into the mouth of Río Coata; c) presence of cattle without authorization; and d) informal fishing in a stretch of the Río Huile (SERNANP 2012).

In 2007, Denver Zoo launched a project in coordination with the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) to conserve the Titicaca Water Frog, which involves screening frogs for chytrid fungus and other diseases, genetic testing, assisting in surveys of the lake and markets, and an education campaign to change local attitudes and behaviours impacting the survival of this frog (Reading et al. 2011). In 2010, the first workshop was organized to develop the "National Plan of Conservation Frog Titicaca in Peru". Since 2012, Denver Zoo and the National Reserve of Titicaca signed a letter of understanding regarding the mutual interest of both institutions to develop research projects, monitoring and environmental education. In 2015, Denver Zoo and the Regional Government of Puno in Peru signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to monitor the Peruvian population of the species. Since 2016, Denver Zoo, along with Reserva Nacional del Titicaca, Gobierno Regional de Puno and the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, is collaborating with the Technical Forest and Wildlife Management of Puno and the Municipality of Lima in a campaign to promote awareness about the illegal use of this species in medicinal extracts (Elias et al. 2017).

In 2015, a monitoring programme was established in different sites of Lake Titicaca that are monitored regularly (A. Muñoz pers. comm. 2019). In February 2016, a pilot project for the ex situ conservation of the species transferred 70 individuals from Lago Menor (Guaqui) and Lago Mayor (Isla de la Luna) to the facilities, and included research on the species' natural history, population status and effects of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Ex situ actions
While attempts at captive breeding were initially unsuccessful (Pérez Bajar 2005), efforts led by Denver Zoo, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH; Peru) and the Huachipa Zoological Park (HZP; Peru), have successfully produced captive-born individuals to be used primarily for awareness raising purposes. In addition, the Museo de Historia Natural Alcide D’Orbigny (Bolivia) have produced captive-born individuals, which are being held for conservation and reintroduction purposes (A. Muñoz pers. comm. February 2016). Captive breeding began in 2008 at the Laboratory of Wildlife UPCH from seized individuals; with the help of HZP in Lima, the first pair managed to successfully reproduce in 2010. In November 2015, Denver Zoo received 20 Lake Titicaca frogs from the HZP with the aim to study their behaviour and increase their numbers.

Policy-based actions
In 2012, the government of Puno issued an ordinance declaring this species a tourist attraction in the Lake Titicaca region. Since 2016, priority has been given to actions aimed at promoting the conservation of the Titicaca Water Frog by the Peru-Bolivia Binational Ministerial Cabinets. Under this binational effort, the “Binational Action Plan for the Conservation of the Titicaca Water Frog (Telmatobius culeus) and the Titicaca Grebe (Rollandia microptera)” was jointly approved in 2018 [see Gabinete Binacional de Ministros Perú-Bolivia 2018, CITES 2019b]. The Plan provides for the development of priority actions to improve the conservation status of this species, including reducing illegal trafficking and controlling threats to the population, and promoting sustainable activities for local communities. In April 2019, the Peruvian government launched an initiative to construct 10 new wastewater treatment plants, which will replace a 40 year-old existing treatment plant. In a bilateral meeting in June 2019, the construction of another twelve wastewater treatment plants was confirmed on the Bolivian side of the lake, in addition to the two monitoring stations already installed (Chisleanschi 2019).

The species is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in Peru and has legal protection provided by the Categorization in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna (Decreto Supremo Nº004-2014-MINAGRI), which bans all hunting, capture, possession, transport or export of the species for commercial purposes. Peru is in the process of approving the "National Strategy Against Illegal Wildlife Trafficking in Peru", which includes activities related to the trade of the Lake Titicaca Frog. It is also listed as Critically Endangered in Bolivia’s Red Book of Threatened Vertebrates (Aguayo 2009), included in Bolivia’s action plan for threatened amphibians (MMAyA 2012) and the Amphibian Need Assessment organized by Amphibian Ark. Additionally, it is protected under Bolivian Law 1333 which prohibits the use of wildlife, and the Action Plan for the Conservation of Threatened Amphibians of Bolivia (2013–2017). The species was included in CITES Appendix I at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17) held in September 2016.

Conservation Needed
Measures are needed to maintain and protect key breeding sites (Bolivia Red List Assessment Workshop 2019). Wastewater treatment plants are needed on both sides of the lake to mitigate negative impacts of sewage runoff on this frog. The enforcement of legislation is needed to address over-harvesting problems in this species. Both national and international mechanisms and the enactment of legislation that strictly prohibits the movement, possession and use of this species, or any of its products, parts or derivatives is imperative. It is crucial to undertake baseline and complementary studies to determine the impact of harvests on the population (Angulo 2008a) and constant monitoring of the species and its habitat is necessary. Establishment of protected areas and the enlargement of already established protected areas is essential for the conservation of this species (Genova 2011).

Research Needed
More information is needed about this species' life history, population status, commercialization, and threats. Further studies should monitor trends in harvest levels. Given that Bd has been detected in this species, it should be monitored closely and studies assessing this species' tolerance and/or resistance to Bd are also warranted (Cossel et al. 2014). It is necessary to continue epidemiological studies regarding the potential public health risk this frog poses to its handlers and consumers, which might be used to discourage the utilization of the species. At the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP18) held in August 2019, a series of concrete actions were documented, urging Peru and Bolivia to collaborate in completing population studies of the species in Lake Titicaca and identifying and monitoring all international illegal trade of specimens (CITES 2019).