[2][3] Species description of Peltophryne empusa was published by Edward Drinker Cope in 1862 as an addendum to his work entitled "Notes upon some reptiles of the Old World" (reptiles and amphibians were not necessarily considered very distinct at that time):[4] Supraorbital ridges very prominent, not crenate, presenting a posterior process.

Maxillary region oblique from a front view; the labial border forming a prominent rim, which is thickened and everted posteriorly.

Peltophryne empusa has a wide but patchy distribution in xeric and mesic lowland forests and savannas of Cuba and the Isla de Juventud to 70 m (230 ft) asl.

It is an explosive breeder; males call from flooded ditches and large temporary pools of rainwater.

[1] Peltophryne empusa is assessed as a vulnerable species because its distribution area is less than 2,000 km2 and severely fragmented, and it is affected by habitat loss and degradation caused by agriculture, pollution (pesticides), and the invasive legume Dichrostachys cinerea.