It is endemic to eastern Peru where it is found in the Huallaga River drainage; its range might extend to Ecuador.

[3] Its natural habitats are lowland and premontane tropical forests.

The tadpole is dorso-ventrally flattened and has a large ventral suction disc behind its mouth.

It is similar to other Atelopus tadpoles except that its upper beak is shorter than the lower one.

[5] Atelopus pulcher is threatened by chytridiomycosis and habitat loss.