The species is named after biologist Richard Hoffman of Virginia, who collected the holotype specimen in 1954.

[1] The species occurs in terrestrial valley and ridge physiography, generally in mature hardwood forests with well-drained soils.

It lays eggs in moist cavities, where they develop directly without a larval stage.

In wet weather, they forage in leaf litter and as the surface dries, retreat to damp covered areas.

[4] They tend to be found on slightly drier slopes than their close relative, the red-backed salamander.