They are nocturnal, relatively rare and native to humid lowland and highland forests in northern South America (Amazon east as far as Tapajós, Chocó-Magdalena and northern Andes) and Panama, where typically found on the ground or at relatively low levels in vegetation.

[6] Females grow larger than males, and depending on exact species the snout–to–vent length generally is between c. 2.5 and 8 cm (1.0–3.1 in).

[7] Nevertheless, they have also been recorded feeding on lizards, large insects and snails in the wild, and in addition to other frogs captive Hemiphractus will eat geckos, newborn mice and earthworms.

[3][8] They can threaten any would-be predator by opening their mouth, exposing the bright yellow inside and tongue.

[10] H. elioti (previously included in H. fasciatus) are bred and maintained by the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center in Panama.