[citation needed] The specific name, stormi, is in honor of Canadian-American herpetologist Robert Macleod Storm.

It is nocturnal, prefers cool, moist environments, and is most active during rainfall or high humidity.

[citation needed] The preferred natural habitat of P. stormi is rocky areas of forest, at altitudes of 490–1,463 m (1,608–4,800 ft).

[citation needed] In 2005, researchers discovered through genetic analysis that a larger, darker variant of this salamander is in fact a separate species.

[citation needed] Other prominent amphibians within the range of P. stormi include the rough-skinned newt, Taricha granulosa.