[2][3] The species occurs in north and central parts of Spain and Portugal, French Pyrenees, and Andorra,[2] but severe range contractions have been documented across its geographic distribution.

[3] They have a long, sensitive nasal trompe provided with hypertrophic vibrissae and chemo-/mechanosensitive Eimer's organs helping prey detection, and large webbed feet with fringed hairs to increase the swimming surface, and can close off their nostrils and ears to stop water penetration.

[3][6] Pyrenean desmans are proficient swimmers, suited to their aquatic habitat, although their claws also allow them to be good at climbing.

The habitat of the Pyrenean desman is under threat, and recent studies have shown dramatic declines in species occurrence in several parts of its range in the last few decades [4][7] Threats include habitat fragmentation and alteration, invasive species (e.g. the American mink), and climate change.

[4][7] On May 4, 2018, National Geographic reported that the Pyrenean desman was the 8,000th animal photographed for The Photo Ark by Joel Sartore.