Rarely seen in the field,[3] the green salamander is an extremely habitat-specific species that is seldom found away from its preferred surroundings: moist, shaded rock crevices.

[3] A. aeneus possesses squared toe-tips, large, conspicuous eyes, and a light blue to yellow ventral surface.

[8] A 2019 study found several A. aeneus populations to represent distinct taxonomic groups, supporting the presence of a possible species complex.

At least one was found to represent a distinct species in its own right, the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander (A. caryaensis).

[6] Aneides aeneus is known to inhabit both the Alleghenies and Cumberland Plateau, reaching from southwestern Pennsylvania to northern Alabama and northeastern Mississippi.

While the fact that Aneides aeneus is such a habitat-specific salamander results in more vulnerability to habitat destruction, the cliffs and outcroppings it has chosen are relatively safe from harm.

It has been speculated that A. aeneus inhabited the ancient chestnut forest that covered a large percentage of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

When inhabiting arboreal habitats studies have found that green salamanders prefer hardwood trees to conifers.

[15] Green salamanders have been negatively impacted by habitat loss, climate change, disease, and overcollection.