This alpine species is associated with streams in moist, forested and grassland habitats in hilly areas. It breeds in low-gradient streams and pools, laying eggs under fallen logs or under stones. Tadpoles over-winter.

This species was previously known from Bomi, Linzhi (also known as Nyingchi), and Yadong Counties, Xizang Province, China westward through central and western Nepal and northwestern India to northeastern Pakistan. Following multiple taxonomic changes, its western distribution is now restricted western Nepal. Records from Pakistan and northwestern India have been determined to belong to Scutiger occidentalis (Hofman et al. 2017), and records from Arunachal Pradesh, India have been assigned to Scutiger spinosus (Jiang et al. 2016). 

The species now ranges from from southeastern Xizang Province in China where it has been recorded in the counties of Bomi, Mainling, Medog, Linzhi (Nyingchi), Nangxian (Nang), Lhozhag, and Yadong, between 2,730–4,560 m asl; Singye Dzong in Lhuntse District, eastern Bhutan at 3,600 m asl (Wangyal et al. 2020); and western Nepal. It probably occurs more widely than current records suggest, especially in areas between known sites.

Conservation Actions In-Place
The range of this species overlaps the Yaluzangbudaxiagu Nature Reserve in China, it occurs in Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan which has only recently been designated as a sanctuary (J. Wangyal pers. comm. October 2020), and crosses others in Nepal.

Research Needed
Further research is required to fully resolve the taxonomic status of the species, on its distribution and population.