[2] Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, and freshwater springs.

It is blackish-brown to reddish-brown dorsally and somewhat lighter brown or grey-brown ventrally.

[3] It is found in coniferous and broadleaf woodland near streams where it occurs at altitudes greater than 1,800 m (5,900 ft) and is considered rare.

Its total area of occupancy is less than 2,000 square kilometres (770 sq mi) and its habitat is being degraded, particularly from the infrastructure development being undertaken in an attempt to increase tourism in the region.

It is present in the Yushan National Park and the Tawushan Nature Preserve which should provide some measure of protection.