This species occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from semiarid sagebrush deserts to sub alpine meadows, including dry woodlands, humid forests, and the rocky shores of mountain lakes. Adults are subterranean except during the breeding season. Breeding sites include temporary or permanent ponds (including artificial ponds), or quiet water at the edge of lakes and streams. During the breeding season adults may be found under logs, rocks, and other debris near water. Eggs are attached to vegetation or loose on bottom. It has a free-living larval stage. Individuals were found in artificial ponds, suggesting at least a degree of tolerance to habitat degradation.

This species occurs in western North America and extends from southeastern Alaska southward to Tuolumne County, California, east to Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, west-central Alberta, western Montana, and central Idaho. There are isolated populations in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California (Bury et al. 1980). It occurs from elevations between sea level to about 3,050 m (Stebbins 2003).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is present in several protected areas throughout its range.

Conservation Needed
Fisheries management could improve the status of salamander populations by not introducing non-native fishes into salamander habitats. Removal of these predators from otherwise favorable salamander habitat is appropriate in many locations. 

Research Needed
Research is required for population trends and size, and population monitoring.