This species can be found in mountainous and lowland forested habitats (Highton 1983), and it breeds terrestrially by direct development. Individuals are often found in woodland detritus and retreat underground during cold or dry conditions. Juveniles have been found in abundance in late summer under superficial covers such as twigs. This species appears to be relatively resilient to disturbances, specifically those associated with timber harvesting as individuals are frequently recorded from second-growth forests (Beamer and Lannoo et al. 2005, Green et al. 2014).

This species is found between the Little Tennessee and Hiwassee Rivers on the western slopes of the Unicoi Mountains and nearby lowlands in northeastern Polk and eastern Monroe Counties in Tennessee, and in northwestern Graham and northwestern Cherokee counties in North Carolina, USA (Highton 1986). It has primarily been found at lower elevations but may range as high as 1,622 m asl in North Carolina (Highton 1983, Green et al. 2014). Its range is still poorly known. The extent of occurrence (EOO) of its mapped range is 2,921 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
Within this species' range, there are several federal and states properties that contain suitable habitat for this species. In North Carolina, however, most of the species' predicted range occurs in private lands (NatureServe 2021). It is not listed by either Tennessee or North Carolina, although Tennessee recognizes the species as one "In Need of Management" (Green et al. 2014).

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).

Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats.