This species can be found in sandhill habitat, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, mesic flatwoods, and isolated, ephemeral wetlands within these habitats (for example in sinkhole ponds, depression ponds and marshes). It can tolerate selective logging as long as the ground is not roller-chopped or otherwise prepared. The larvae and adults are aquatic, although the adults emigrate to surrounding wooded areas near breeding ponds if the ponds dry up. It breeds in shallow temporary ponds associated with well-drained sands, and the eggs are attached to submerged vegetation. It is important that these ephemeral ponds hold water long enough for larvae to develop (USFWS 2018). The cyclical nature of ephemeral ponds prevents predatory fish from invading this species' breeding habitat (Dodd and Charest 1988, LaClaire and Franz 1990, Moler and Franz 1987). Permanent ponds often contain large, predatory fish making them unsuitable for striped newt reproduction, however this species will breed in semi-permanent and/or permanent ponds that lack predatory fish (USFWS 2018). This species has a lifespan of 12–15 years (Dodd 1993, de Magalhaes and Costa 2009, USFWS 2018).

This species can be found in northern Florida, westward to the vicinity of the Ochlocknee River, and northward into southern Georgia, USA. The known Georgia distribution is limited to three widely disjunctive areas (Dodd 1993b, Dodd and LaClaire 1995). In Florida, specimens have been recorded as far south as Hernando and Orange Counties and from the Atlantic coast westward to the west side of Apalachee Bay (Christman and Means 1978, Campbell, Christman and Thompson 1980). In Georgia, specimens have been recorded from as far north as Screven and Jenkins Counties, southeast to Wilcox County (Dodd 1993b) and westward to Baker County (L.V. LaClaire pers. comm.). The majority of occurrences are in Florida. This species has disappeared from much of its historic range, including within Apalachicola National Forest and Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge (P. Moler and K. Wray pers. comm. July 2021). It has not been recorded in Alachua County in over 25 years (P. Moler pers. comm. July 2021), and is thought to likely be extirpated from the area.

Conservation Actions In-Place
Most of the remaining known subpopulations are on federal, state, or private conservation lands, such as Apalachicola National Forest, Florida; Camp Blanding Military reservation, Florida; Ocala National Forest, Florida; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Ichauway Plantation, Georgia; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; the ITT Rayonier property, Georgia; and the Katharine Ordway Preserve-Swisher Memorial Sanctuary. However, these protections may not be adequate as recent unexplained extirpations in the panhandle suggest that the species faces imminent threats even on protected lands (Farmer et al. 2017). 

This species is listed as Threatened in Georgia, however subpopulations on private lands are not protected under State regulations. This species is not listed in Florida. In 2013, the Coastal Plains Institute began a reintroduction programme in the Munson Sandhills. The programme has demonstrated some success in releasing captive bred individuals into breeding ponds in Apalachicola National Forest in Florida (USFWS 2018), however, self-sustaining subpopulations have not yet been established (P. Hill pers. comm. July 2021).

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 upland habitat and wetland preservation and continued management of existing protected areas are necessary for the conservation of this species. Additionally, improved fire management plans are recommended. 

Research Needed
Population surveys and monitoring efforts are needed to further investigate the degree of decline.