It is endemic to California, in Kern County in the western United States.

Much of the salamander's habitat is currently located on land owned by Tejon Ranch.

This salamander is dark brown in color with light, glittery-looking speckles of coppery red and silver covering its 3-inch (76 mm) length.

It lives in damp leaf litter and emerges during high humidity or rain.

The Tehachapi slender salamander is an IUCN Red List Endangered species.