This species is distributed widely from lowlands near seashore to forests in montane regions. Usually it lives on the ground or on rocks, but seldom on trees. It often inhabits coastal areas affected by salt water (Haramura 2007). It breeds from March to November in various bodies of still water, including rice fields, ditches, and small pools, and in slowly flowing small streams. Males usually call on the ground or half submerged in water, but occasionally on leaves of shrubs. Eggs are laid separately, each with a diameter 1.2-1.4 mm and dark brown. Matured larva are over 30 mm in total length, with a long oval head and body, and low, elongated tail. Tadpoles sometimes inhabit hot springs, and can live at 40 °C (Komaki et al. 2016).

This species occurs in the central part of the Ryukyu Archipelago (Nansei-shoto) in Japan. Subpopulations in south and eastern Taiwan have now been separated as Buergeria otai (Wang et al. 2018). Subpopulations from Southern Ryukyus and northwestern Taiwan have recently been described as Buergeria choui (Matsui and Tominaga, 2020). It occupies an elevational range of 0-300 m asl, but it is more common at lower altitude.

Conservation Actions In-Place
Several protected areas in the region support this species, and most of its range lies within protected areas. This species is on the "List of Beneficial or of Important Economic or Scientific Value Terrestrial Wild Animals under States Protection", under the protection of the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Wildlife", which provides a moderate degree of protection and makes it illegal to collect (China Red List Assessment Workshop June 2019). The species is listed as Least Concern in the Japanese Red List.

Research Needed
Additional taxonomic research is recommended in light of the cryptic species present in this complex, in particular between populations from Amami and Okinawa.