This species is a habitat specialist. During the breeding season (September-December), calling males, gravid females and egg masses have been recorded, along seepage lines within or at the periphery of sub-alpine wet heathland and in gullies within montane vegetation communities (Malone 1985a, Hollis 1995). Calling activity has been recorded in early September, continuing as late as the last week in December (Malone 1985a, Hollis 1995, G.J. Hollis. pers. comm.). Oviposition (egg laying) appears to be confined to a shorter interval of 2-3 weeks during this period, when a peak in calling activity occurs (Malone 1985a, b, Hollis 1995). The timing of this peak in calling activity varies between breeding seasons (Hollis 1997). Calling activity may occur at any time of the day or night, with the greatest levels of activity being recorded during relatively warm, humid conditions (Hollis 1997). Very little calling activity occurs at temperatures near freezing (Malone 1985a) or when temperatures are high with low humidity (Hollis 1997). Egg masses are deposited in a transparent foam nest (8 cm diameter and 3-4 cm high) at the calling site, or nearby, during inguinal amplexus (Littlejohn 1963). The foam nest is produced by the female beating air bubbles into the mucous and eggs with flanged fingers during egg laying (Littlejohn 1963). The egg mass may be deposited at varying depths in vegetation, or below the ground surface, depending on the structural attributes of the site (Hollis 1997). Depths of over a metre have been observed, whilst others are deposited in vegetation very close to the surface (Hollis 1997). Clutch sizes reported in the literature range from 50-185 (see Littlejohn 1963, Malone 1985a, b, Tyler 1992). Ova are white and unpigmented and measure on average 4 mm in diameter (Malone 1985b). Oviposition of more than one clutch may occur at a single site (Malone 1985b, Hollis 1997). It is also possible that females deposit a portion of their eggs at more than one site (Malone 1985a). Under natural conditions the embryonic period varies from 5-8 weeks, with individuals hatching at Gosner stages 22-23 (Malone 1985a, b). The larvae are non-feeding, hatching with a residual yolk mass that maintains them through to metamorphosis (Malone 1985a, b). Larvae usually remain at oviposition sites through to metamorphosis (Barker, Grigg and Tyler 1995, Hollis 1997). Upon hatching, however, larvae have also been observed to move small distances in shallow water from oviposition sites, while remaining covered under vegetation and/or woody debris (Hollis 1997), or to be washed into nearby pools (B.S. Malone pers. comm. in Hollis 1997).

Towards the end of the breeding season, males disperse into drier habitats adjacent to the breeding sites, with linear movements up 82 m occurring. Female frogs enter breeding sites during the peak of male calling activity to lay eggs (2-3 weeks), then return into adjacent drier habitats following the breeding season (Hollis 2004). Adult frogs move about when conditions are wet, with movement limited by increased temperature and reduced humidity (Hollis 2004). The duration of the breeding season appears to be closely related to temperature and rainfall. Longer breeding seasons are positively correlated with greater total rainfall and negatively correlated with increasing average temperature (Hollis 2004). Commencement of the breeding season appears to coincide with the arrival of warmer spring temperatures, although completion occurs with daily ambient and substratum temperatures increasing by 2.8°C and 0.4°C respectively (Hollis 2004).

The maximum age recorded is about 15 years, with males reaching sexual maturity at 3.5 years and females at 4.5 – 5.5 years (Hollis 2004). Generation length is estimated to be approximately 8-10 years.

This species is restricted entirely to the Baw Baw Plateau in the Central Highlands of Victoria, located approximately 120 km east of Melbourne (Malone 1985a, Hollis 1995). Despite searches in close proximity to the plateau, and in similar environments (e.g., Mount Useful, Mount Torongo), the species has not been found elsewhere. This species historical range was approximately 135 km², which encompasses sub-alpine habitats (1,260-1,560 m asl) and montane habitats down to 940 m asl on the southwestern escarpment of the Baw Baw Plateau, and 1,200 m elevation on the northeastern escarpment (Hollis 2004). This area includes 75 km² within the Baw Baw National Park, 3 km² within the Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, and 56 km² within State Forest. In 1983 and 1984, Malone (1985a) undertook a comprehensive assessment of the distribution of the species. It was found to be widely distributed and abundant in the west (Mt Baw Baw), central (Mt St Phillack) and northwest (Mt Whitelaw) parts of the plateau. There were fewer records from the east region (Mt St Gwinear), and the species was conspicuously absent from the southeast region. 

This species has now disappeared from over 80% of its former occupied range, and the distribution of the extant population is now approximately 50 km² (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2019). In 1996, a lower-elevation population was recorded on the southwest escarpment of the Baw Baw Plateau at 960 m asl to add to the known sub-alpine population above 1,300 m asl. Sightings as low as 940 m asl have now been recorded, with a one-off unconfirmed record at 820 m asl. The initial contraction in distribution range from sub-alpine elevations above 1,300 m asl occurred sometime in the mid 1980s after the baseline survey of Malone (1985b). Declines have continued to occur at elevations below 1,300 m asl since 1996, but have accelerated since 2005 (Hollis pers. comm. in Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2019). Recent survey data (2014-2017) indicate that further substantial declines have occurred (Baw Baw Frog recovery team pers. comm. unpublished data in Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2019).

The map provided here is derived from localities between 1993-2002 in Hollis (2011) and has a calculated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 140 km². This is a maximum EOO estimate. Because its distribution has since decreased, due to the disappearance of subpopulations at higher elevations in particular, the EOO is most likely now less than 100 km².

Conservation Measures In-Place
The species' habitat is protected within Baw Baw National Park and a Special Protection Zone to limit timber harvesting within State forest is in place under the Central Highlands Forest Management Plan and Regional Forest Agreement. A recovery plan for the Baw Baw Frog was developed in 2011 by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (Hollis 2011). The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2019). Research and monitoring of subpopulations is currently in place. A conservation breeding and insurance program was established in 2010 by Zoos Victoria and is now able to generate all life stages for experimental reintroduction and research.

Conservation Needed
The Conservation Advice (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2019) for this species considers the most important conservation action needed is the continued implementation of the current captive husbandry and breeding program. This includes continuing the development of an ex-situ insurance subpopulation, and the establishment of an in-situ subpopulation and the trial reintroduction of captive-bred individuals in to the wild. In addition, researchers and land managers must be properly trained to minimise the spread of Bd in methods of handling, hygiene, diagnostic keys, etc. (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2019). The ongoing protection of its habitat is required, and control and monitoring of the many invasive species in the region is also needed.

Research Needed
Studies are needed to investigate options for enhancing the resilience of the species’ habitat to climate change and disease. Continued monitoring of populations and distribution to as fine a scale as possible is desirable. A better understanding of the timing and distribution of disease outbreaks is also needed (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2019).