This species occupies shrub-steppe or meadow habitats in mountainous regions, at high elevations (Smith and Xie 2008). It is sometimes found in spruce forests (Smith and Xie 2008). The preferred habitat seems to be alongside streams in cool forest areas (Nowak 1991). It was also recorded in dense shrubland resulting from deforestation (Giraudoux et al. 1998). Its diet "primarily consists of green plants" (Smith and Xie 2008).

This species is endemic to China, occurring in Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces. E. s. setchuanus occurs in western Sichuan, northwestern Yunnan, and southwestern Qinghai, while E. s. vicinus occurs in southern Gansu, eastern Qinghai, southern Shaanxi, and Ningxia (Smith and Xie 2008). The species occurs at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 m asl (Holden and Musser 2005).

This species occurs in Jiuzhaigou (Liu et al. 2005), Liupanshan, Taibaishan, Wanglang, and Wolong Nature Reserves (CSIS 2008), and is presumed to occur in other protected areas. In China, it has been regionally Red Listed as Vulnerable A1c (Wang and Xie 2004).