It is endemic to the north-western slope of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the Magdalena Department, northern Colombia.

[1][3][4] The specific name ruthveni honors Alexander Grant Ruthven, an American herpetologist.

The snout is long, subacuminate in dorsal view and round in profile.

The dorsum is pinkish tan, gray, or pale orange with darker markings.

[2] Serranobatrachus ruthveni lives in moist forests and rocky high mountain habitats (subpáramo and páramo) at elevations of 1,500–3,800 m (4,900–12,500 ft) above sea level; it is more common in the latter types of habitats.