This species occurs on mountain slopes covered by pine-oak and cloud forests, living in the vegetation but rarely in bromeliads, and under the bark of logs. It is not commonly found on the ground and does not occur in disturbed habitats. Breeding is by direct development and the species is not dependent upon water.

This species is known from the slopes of Volcán Tacaná in Chiapas, Mexico, and from the mountains along the south-western Guatemalan Plateau (in particular the Atitlán, Tajumulco and Tacana volcanoes). The northernmost reported point is from Ejido Libertad Calera, Camino a Bremen in Chiapas, Mexico (S. Rovito pers. comm. August 2019). Its elevational range is 1,500–2,950 m asl. It is likely to be restricted to known localities (Guatemala Red List Assessment Workshop August 2019). It occurs in five or fewer threat-defined locations and its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 2,753 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species might be found in the Biosphere Reserve of La Encrucijada, Chiapas, Mexico, but is not otherwise known from any protected area in the country. In Guatemala, it occurs in Refugio de Queztal San Marcos. The Instituto de Historia Natural of Chiapas is conducting a conservation project in this area. It is protected by Mexican law under the "Special Protection" category (Pr).

Conservation Needed
Broad habitat conservation and management is needed in order to prevent further habitat disturbance and degradation from occuring 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
Further research is needed to determine if the species occurs within the Biosphere Reserve of la Encrucijada in Chiapas, and into its population size and trends.