It is an arboreal species that inhabits pristine cloud forest habitats, and is often found in bromeliads. It can also be found in dry tropical forests and pine-oak forests (Muñoz Alonso 2010). It breeds by direct development and is not dependent upon water.

This species ranges from extreme south-eastern Chiapas, Mexico, along the Pacific versant to Volcán Atitlán, south-western Guatemala. Its elevational range is 1,500–2,400 m asl. Its unlikely to occur more widely than is currently known (Guatemala Red List Assessment Workshop August 2019). It occurs in fewer than five threat-defined locations and its extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 2,670 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species has been recorded from the Biosphere Reserve Volcán Tacaná (Muñoz Alonso 2010) which is well-protected (P.A. Caballero pers. comm. July 2016), and the 'Quetzal Reserve' close to Finca Insula in Chiapas, Mexico (T. Papenfuss and S. Rovito pers. comm. 2007). It is protected by Mexican law under the "Special Protection" category (Pr). It does not occur in any protected areas in Guatemala. 

Conservation Needed
Broad habitat management is needed in order to prevent future habitat disturbance and degradation form occurring within the species' range. Proactive, precautionary steps should be taken to detect the arrival of Bsal in Guatemala and/or Mexico and to establish a baseline by including the swabbing of salamanders encountered during routine amphibian monitoring activities in the country (Guatemala and Mexico Red List Assessment Workshops 2019).

Research Needed
Surveys are urgently needed to establish the current population status of this species.