Once considered a delicacy as a source of food, it is now threatened by habitat loss through deforestation, and predation by introduced mongooses.

Due to the isolated island ecosystem, many factors play into the endangerment and the shorter lifespan of the species.

Like the Hypsiboas rosenbergi frogs of Latin America, the Otton frog possess a thumb-like structure called the pseudothumb on its forelimbs, giving the impression of a total of five fingers.

[5] This rare frog uses its switch-blade claws to fight and in mating.

[6] During fighting, two male Otton frogs wrestle each other until in an embrace.