There is little information available regarding the natural history of this species, as most published reports have now been shown to refer to Batrachoseps altasierrae. At two high elevation sites, this species has been observed to be active at the surface from May-October. This species is known to be water-associated, and is often found near seepages and springs where moisture persists through the summer (Jockusch et al. 2012, Green et al. 2014). At one of the extant locations (E of Squirrel Meadow), this species has been found to be directly associated with a small seep, and individuals here are often found beneath rocks with water underneath, typically on a sandy-gravel substrate. This species is rarely encountered far from surface water. Breeding is done by direct development, and communal nests have been documented in microsites that retain surface moisture through the summer (Stebbins 1985, Jockusch et al. 2012, R. Hansen pers. comm. August 2020).

This species is known only from a few high elevation, seep-associated sites in the Breckenridge Mountains, in California, USA. It has been extirpated from the type locality and its vicinity in the Lower Kern River Canyon in Kern County (R. Hansen pers. comm. August 2020). Sites in the northern Lower Kern River Canyon reaching to the Tule River and Little Kern River drainages that were previously recognized as this species are now assigned to Batrachoseps altasierrae. The previously recorded elevational range for this species in the Kern River Canyon was 350–731 m asl, however, all currently known extant locations in the Breckenridge Mountains occur at elevations of 1,249–2,012 m asl (R. Hansen pers. comm. August 2020).

The total area occupied by this species is thought to be small and extremely patchy, and represents the smallest known range for a described species of Batrachoseps (Jockusch et al. 2012, R. Hansen pers. comm. August 2020). The entire known range represents a single threat-defined location. It is possible that this species occurs somewhat more widely, and streamside and seep habitats that drain the northern slope of Breckenridge Mountain into the Kern River should be further surveyed for additional subpopulations (Jockusch et al. 2012). The current estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of its known range is 32 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
It is unknown if this species occurs in any protected areas.

In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).

Conservation Needed
Improved protection of remaining seepage habitat is needed.

Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats. Population monitoring is recommended considering its very restricted range.