This aquatic species inhabits most clean, moderate to swift-flowing streams within its range. It is more common in streams greater than 15 m wide and 1 m deep (Braswell and Ashton 1985). This species requires relatively high oxygen levels and water quality (Ashton 1985). Breeding and non-breeding habitats are the same except for late fall and winter when it exploits large accumulations of submerged leaves in eddies, or backwaters of streams. It more frequently occupies burrows and spaces under rocks (Ashton 1985, Braswell and Ashton 1985). Eggs are attached to the underside of objects in low silt moderate-flow areas of streams. This species is paedomorphic, which may limit dispersal and gene flow between subpopulations (Niemiller et al. in press). No migrations have been documented and home ranges reported by Ashton (1985) are relatively small (mean 17 m² for females and 73 m² for males). It is not found in reservoirs and areas below large municipal waste outfalls (Braswell and Ashton 1985).

This species is found only in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River basins of the Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain regions of North Carolina, USA (Petranka 1998). It is known from over 140 localities (Braswell and Ashton 1985), but these are not necessarily all distinct subpopulations (H.E. LeGrand pers. comm. 2003). This species occurs from near sea level up to about 116 m asl. Its estimated extent of occurrence is 24,638 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is not known from any protected areas. It is state-listed as a species of Special Concern in North Carolina. It should be noted that state water quality designations and permitting systems do address stream conditions (the 'Outstanding Resource Water' designation for Swift Creek in the Tar River basin is the best example of this).

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
This species would likely benefit from improved habitat protection at sites where it is known to occur. Additionally, strengthened legislation is recommended to better protect the water quality across this species' range.

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