This species primarily inhabits humid redwood and mixed coniferous forests. In the inland portions of its range, this species mainly occurs on wooded, north-facing slopes that are covered with tan bark oaks and maples. In the Big Sur area, individuals have been found in wet creek-sides. During periods when surface moisture is present, this species can be found under suitable cover in open, disturbed habitats (Jockusch et al. 2001, Green et al. 2014). It has been found to be abundant in disturbed areas, such as city parks (Jockusch et al. 2001) and in leaf litter on road banks (E. Jockusch pers. comm. January 2021). This species breeds by direct development.

This species is broadly distributed in the northern Santa Lucia Mountains, Monterey County, California, USA, from the Monterey Peninsula to near the Monterey-San Luis Obispo county line (Jockusch et al. 2001), and occurs at elevations between sea level and 1,027 m asl (C. Evelyn pers. comm. January 2021). The range does not extend east of the Sierra de Salinas (C. Evelyn pers. comm. May 2021). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 2,371 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species occurs in a few protected areas, including the Ventana Wilderness Area and several California State Parks (Garrapata, Andrew Molera. Pfeiffer Big Sur, and Lime Kiln; E. Jockusch pers. comm. January 2021).

Conservation Needed
Continued and strengthened management of protected area(s) where this species occurs, and expanded protection of suitable habitat elsewhere in its range is recommended.

Research Needed
Further research on this species' distribution, population size and trends is recommended.