This species inhabits mesic forest, and individuals are often under leaf-litter, logs, or mossy rocks. It is a terrestrial breeder with direct development in the same habitat. It tolerates some level of disturbance because much of its range occurs in second growth forest. Individuals are more active under moist conditions, and likely move underground to avoid dry and cold extremes (Green et al. 2014).

This species can be found in the South Mountains, in Burke, Cleveland, and Rutherford counties, in the Piedmont Province of North Carolina, USA. Its elevational range is approximately 543–823 m asl (Highton and Peabody 2000). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 1,257 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
Portions of the species' range are protected in South Mountain State Park. The species also occurs in South Mountain Game Lands where the forest is generally maintained intact (D. Beamer pers. comm.). The species does not appear on any state or federal list of endangered species. 

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
Expansion of effective forest preservation and continued management of existing protected areas are recommended for the conservation of this species.

Research Needed
There is a need for monitoring the population status of this species given the threats of deforestation and urbanization.