It is an entirely aquatic species, known only from the immediate vicinity of spring outflows, under rocks, in gravel substrate (Chippindale 2005), and in caves (Devitt et al. 2019). Breeding takes place in water. This species is paedomorphic, which may limit dispersal and gene flow between subpopulations (Niemiller et al. in press).

At the time of the previous assessment, this species was known only from two sites in the northern portion of the Edwards aquifer: Big Boiling (= Main, Salado, or Siren) Springs and Robertson Springs at Salado, Bell County, Texas, United States (Chippindale et al. 2000). Not included in the range map were records from springs near Buttermilk Creek to the southwest of these sites, which were suspected to belong to this species; additional undetected occurrences were also suspected (G. Longley pers. comm. to Chippindale, Chippindale et al. 2000). 

Molecular analysis by Devitt et al. (2019) has confirmed that the Buttermilk Creek records belong to this species, as well as the Berry Creek records which had previously been thought to be more closely related to Eurycea naufragia. The updated distribution of this species is, therefore, from the springs at Salado in the north to the northern shores of Georgetown Lake in Bell and Williamson Counties; records south of this Lake belong to Eurycea naufragia (Devitt et al. 2019). This range expansion of about 45-50 km to the southwest results in an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 900 km².

Devitt et al. (2019) report a groundwater divide between the Salado Creek watershed, which flows northeast, and the Berry Creek watershed, flowing east. It is difficult to estimate the number of threat-defined locations for a species occurring in springs and subterranean aquatic habitats. However, this groundwater divide is helpful in determining the minimum number of threat-defined locations for the ongoing nonpoint source pollution with which this species contends. Therefore, the minimum number of locations is likely 2.

Conservation Actions In-Place
It is not currently known from any protected areas. This species has been a Candidate species for Federal listing since 1994. 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 Actions Needed
Devitt et al. (2019) recommend "joint management of surface and subsurface waters as a single common-pool resource" without which "the aquifers, springs, and streams of the Edwards-Trinity and the regional ecosystems they sustain will become increasingly threatened." Protection from pollution and over-extraction of water is needed for this fragile karst system. 

Research Needed
Monitoring of the species' population size, distribution, and trend are needed, as well as the quality of the species' habitat.