This species inhabits primary and secondary lowland and lower montane rainforest, as well as edge habitats. It is a phytotelm breeder (Malkmus and Dehling 2008), which breeds in small, temporary water bodies, rock holes and phytotelmata near to ground level that are rich in decaying organic matter (Haas et al. 2018). In Borneo it has been found in rural gardens, in the Philippines it has been recorded in disturbed microhabitats (Delima et al. 2006), and in Sabah, Malaysia, it has been found in altered streams which have been affected by human activities (Fikri et al. 2013). Tadpoles have also been found in stagnant water and in a toilet of a forest camp (Haas et al. 2018).

This species occurs in the Philippines (Palawan, Mindanao, and Jolo Islands), Peninsular Malaysia, Peninsular Thailand, and Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak, and Kalimantan), between 150-1,300 m asl. New species records have been provided from within the Kitanglad Range in Mindanao, Philippines (Beukema 2011) and additional sites in Kalimantan, including Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park and Kayan Mentarang National Park (Indonesia Red List Assessment Workshop May 2017). It has also been found on several islands in El Nido in 2014 (A. Diesmos unpubl. data March 2018) and has been confirmed from Lebong, Benkulu in Sumatra, Indonesia (D. Iskandar and M. Kamsi pers. comm. May 2017), and Brunei Darussalam (Inger et al. 2017).

Conservation Actions
The range of the species includes several protected areas, including Kubah National Park in Sarawak (Das et al. 2007), Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park and Kayan Mentarang National Park in Kalimantan (Indonesia Red List Assessment Workshop May 2017). In the Philippines, the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan for areas was put into place by the national government in 1992, which aims to divide the island into a network of environmentally critical areas above 1,000 m asl (ECAN - Environmentally Critical Areas Network). The plan is operationalized on a local level by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. The map of these areas is currently being updated to include lowland areas below 1,000 m asl. The Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation is also managing about $30 million in funds from debt payments due to the US government, which are instead allocated for spending during 2016-2026 towards forest protection in three priority areas: Palawan Island, the Sierra Madre on Luzon Island, and eastern Mindanao Island.

Conservation Needed
Effective protection of lowland forests is needed in some parts of its range. While some oil palm companies and forestry companies designate High Conservation Value areas, not all lenders require these areas to be set aside and the habitat within the HCVs could disappear if the lender or requirements change (Indonesia Red List Assessment Workshop May 2017). Despite being present in several protected areas in the Philippines, the species is still threatened by the continuing decline in the quality and extent of its habitat. Therefore, required conservation measures include the regulation and proper disposal of pesticides and herbicides, and the effective protection of remaining rainforest, especially riverine habitats and gallery forests. In addition, improved enforcement of the SEP is needed as it has had limited success due to challenges in implementation.

Research Needed
Further research is needed in reference to taxonomy, population size and life history.