This species inhabits slopes of mesic shaded ravines dominated by hardwood trees (Big-leaf Magnolia and Southern Magnolia with Mountain Laurel and Oak-leaf Hydrangea). It is often found in moderately steep areas with a northern exposure most often on high, steep, uncut slopes with high soil moisture content and full tree canopy (Dodd 1991). It lives in burrows that often open in leaf-litter-free areas near the base of trees or under siltstone outcroppings. Eggs are laid in cavities inside burrows (Means 2003). Embryos develop directly within the eggs. It can tolerate selective logging or clear-cutting as long as burrows are not destroyed mechanically, as by ploughing, tilling, or other forms of intensive site preparation.

This species is known from the Red Hills region of south central Alabama, USA, where it occurs between the Alabama and Conecuh Rivers (Petranka 1998, Green et al. 2014). It is restricted to Tallahatta and Hatchetigbee geological formations. It is found in Butler, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, and Monroe Counties (Bury et al. 1980, Dodd 1991). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 3,327 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species does not occur in any officially protected areas, although three areas (less than 15 acres) are set aside to support a limited subpopulation. Two areas are in public ownership: Lookout Hill Fire Tower (Alabama Forestry Commission) and Haines Island (US Army Corps of Engineers). This species is protected as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act and is listed as a protected non-game species by the state of Alabama.

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 Needed
Long-term protection is best assured through private landowner cooperation, and Dodd (1991) recommended a series of management actions that would help to maintain the integrity of salamander habitat. Apodaca et al. (2012) state that protection of continuous slope habitat will likely be an important element of this species' recovery plan. 

Research Needed
Further research on this species' distribution, population size and trends is recommended.