It is found in northwestern Ecuador, the Andes of Colombia, and lowland and premontane zones of Panama and Costa Rica to about 1,600 m (5,200 ft) above sea level.

[1][2][3][4] Ctenophryne aterrima are very robust-bodied frogs with short limbs and a small, pointed head.

[4] Ctenophryne aterrima is a secretive and nocturnal leaf-litter species that is rarely seen.

They breed in swamps and shallow pools on the forest floor.

[1] The species is not threatened, but habitat loss caused by agricultural development, plantations, illegal crops, logging, and human settlement, and pollution resulting from the spraying of illegal crops remain possible threats.