This species is restricted to terrestrial habitats in montane pine-oak-fir forests and upper cloud forest habitat. It is often found living under stones and logs. This species is not tolerant of disturbance, and is not found in secondary habitats. It reproduces by direct development.

This species is known from one location encompassing the highest peak of Cerro Pelón and the surrounding areas on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Juarez in north central Oaxaca, Mexico. This area includes records from north of Guelatao on Hwy. 175 (T.J. Papenfuss pers. obs. 1974, J. Hanken pers. obs. 1976). It has been recorded from an elevational range of 2,600–3,000 m asl. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 17 km².

Conservation Action
This species does not occur in any protected areas. 

Conservation Needed
Improved habitat protection is required at sites where this species is known to occur. Proactive, precautionary steps should be taken to detect the arrival of Bsal in Mexico through the swabbing of both wild and imported salamanders, in addition to a total ban on the importation of non-native salamanders (Mexico Red List Assessment Workshop October 2019).

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