This species is associated with rocky alpine meadows and scree slopes, often close to small streams, usually above the tree line. The known sites of this species at lower elevations may have mixed or coniferous forest. It gives birth to one to six fully metamorphosed young on land (Noellert and Noellert 1992), and is not associated with water. This species hides beneath rocks and stones when inactive and may be found in pastureland and other slightly modified habitats.

Generation length is conservatively estimated to be between 7–15 years.

This European endemic species occurs only in a very small area of the western Alps on the border of Italy and France. It is distributed in the valleys of Po, Pellice, Germanasca and Sangone in Italy, and in the Guil Valley in France. It has also been reported to be present on the Maritime Alps, in Cuneo Province. This finding is based upon a single specimen housed in Florence Museum, and with a label indicating its provenance as "Antracque", which is a possible mistake for Entracque, Valdieri (Cuneo), Italy. The species has not been found again at Entracque or nearby sites. Ribéron (2003) concluded that the species' distribution is decreasing, but this assertion is based solely on the Entracque specimen. There is currently no reliable evidence of a reduction in the species’ range (D. Seglie pers. comm. May 2021). It occurs from 1,200 m (perhaps less) to around 2,600 m asl, but is found more commonly between 1,500–2,100 m asl (D. Seglie pers. comm. July 2021). The record of 2,800 m asl and corresponding locality (Lago delle Forciolline) is most likely erroneous (Andreone and Sindaco 1999, Vences et al. 2003, Andreone et al. 2004). This species may occur more widely in Italy, in Val Chisone which is located between the valleys of Sangone and Germanasca (D. Seglie pers. comm. May 2021).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is listed on Annex IV of the EU Natural Habitats Directive and on Appendix II of the Bern Convention under Salamandra atra. It occurs in the following Natura 2000 sites: Orsiera Rocciavré (IT1110006), Val Troncea (IT1110080), Pra - Barant (IT1110032), Gruppo del Monviso e Bosco dell'Alevè (IT1160058), Vallée du Haut Guil (FR9312019), Haut Guil - Mont Viso - Val Preveyre (FR9301504). It is found in regional protected areas in both Italy and France [Parco Provinciale di Conca Cialancia, Parco del Monviso, Parco Naturale Orsiera-Rocciavrè, Parc Regional du Queyras and Réserve naturelle de Ristolas-Mont-Viso] (R. Manenti and F. Ficetola pers. comm. September 2019, D. Seglie pers. comm. May 2021).

Conservation Needed
There is a need to maintain traditional forest and alpine management within the species' range. There is also an urgent need for a EU (European Union) wide coordinated approach and implementation of the Bsal Action Plan by Gilbert et al. (2020), which was commissioned by the European Commission.

Research Needed
Population monitoring will be important with the risk of Bsal.