This species is found in the páramo above 3,000 m asl (Bolaños and Wake 2009). It presumably reproduces by direct development.

The species was previously only known from a small region known as the Fábrega Massif, a general plateau between the peaks of Cerro Fábrega in Panama and Cerro Biné in Costa Rica, at 3,000–3,100 m asl (Bolaños and Wake 2009). It is now also known from Cerro Echandi and Cerro Biné, just across the border into Costa Rica (E. Arias and G. Chaves pers. comm. September 2019). It is likely restricted to páramo habitat in the vicinity of known sites (E. Arias and G. Chaves pers. comm. September 2019). Its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 27 km² and all individuals occur in a single threat-defined location.

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species occurs within Parque Internacional La Amistad.

Conservation Needed
Proactive, precautionary steps should be taken to detect the arrival of Bsal in Costa Rica and/or Panama, and to establish a baseline by including the swabbing of salamanders encountered during routine amphibian monitoring activities in these countries (Panama and Costa Rica Red List Assessment Workshops 2019).

Research Needed
Research into the potential effects of climate change and disease are needed for this species.