This species inhabits coastal live-oak woodlands, yellow pine, and black oak forests in the foothills. In Baja California, it lives in sycamore woodland. It is found on the ground under leaf-litter, rocks, logs, and other places of refuge, and is also known to climb trees. During summer, it retreats into tree cavities, rodent burrows, caves, and mine shafts. This species lays eggs in hollow trees or logs and in cavities in the earth (Behler and King 1979). It breeds by direct development, and is not dependent upon water. It is unclear as to whether or not it is tolerant of habitat disturbance.

This species occurs in the Coast Ranges of California from Humboldt County in the United States of America to northwest Baja California Norte in Mexico. In California, it is also present in the central Sierra Nevada foothills from Calaveras to Madera counties. Additionally, this species is known from the islands of South Farallon, Santa Catalina, and Isla Coronado Norte off the coast of California and Baja California Norte (Behler and King 1979). This species occurs at elevations ranging from sea level to about 1,500 m asl (Stebbins 1985). In Baja California, it is found up to Santo Tomas, and south of Ensenada (Grismer 2002).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species occurs in several protected areas. It is protected by Mexican law under the "Special Protection" category (Pr).

Conservation Needed
The most important conservation need is protection of oak and sycamore woodland habitat, especially for large old oak and sycamore trees. Additionally, continued management of existing protected areas is needed for the conservation of this species.

Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats.