This species is largely terrestrial, living in low vegetation, under bark, and in bromeliads. It seems to be more of a generalist than other nearby congeners, and it can survive to some degree in degraded vegetation. Immediately following disturbance to its habitat, the species can still be found provided there are still areas of refuge available; however, several years after such disturbance events the species cannot be found and therefore it is not thought to be tolerant to disturbance in the longer term (J. Campbell pers. comm. August 2019). Breeding is by direct development and it is not dependent upon water.

This species occurs on the central plateau of Chiapas, Mexico, and in several mountainous areas in western Guatemala including the upper slopes of the Guatemalan Plateau close to the Mexican border, Volcán Tajumulco, Montanas de Cuilco, and throughout the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes. Its elevational range is 1,700-2,900 m asl (Muñoz Alonso 2010). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 21,367 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species has been recorded from the Huitepec Ecological Reserve in Mexico. In Guatemala, it has been recorded from Parque Nacional Volcán Tajumulco (G. Ruano-Fajardo pers. comm. August 2019).

Conservation Needed
Broad habitat conservation and management is needed in order to prevent further habitat disturbance and degradation form occurring within the species range. Proactive, precautionary steps should be taken to detect the arrival of Bsal in Mexico and Guatemala through the swabbing of both wild and imported salamanders, in addition to a total ban on the importation of non-native salamanders (Guatemala and Mexico Red List Assessment Workshops 2019).

Research Needed
Further research into its population size and trends is required, and monitoring of the populations status of this species is needed.