Overall distribution is uncertain due to the species' cryptic habits and possible confusion or hybridization with the small-mouth salamander.

It has been shown that the hatching time of streamside salamander eggs was responsive to the presence of green sunfish in the habitat, leading to the emergence of larvae that are larger and less easily preyed on, or possibly less susceptible to involuntary drift into areas with high fish densities.

In fish-rich habitats, larvae tend to have light pigmentation that assists in blending in with the stream substrate and reduces the likelihood of being detected by predators.

In the absence of predators, darker pigmentation that may assist in maintaining a higher body temperature and thus greater activity and foraging levels is more common.

Salamander larvae that live in the presence of green sunfish are more likely to survive if they have stronger antipredator behavior, including reduced activity; however, larvae that are born in fish-free, ephemeral pools have higher survival with increased activity and higher feeding rates, traits which allow them to metamorphose before their aquatic habitat dries.

[1] Triphenyltin, a common pesticide used in pecan, potatoes, beets, celery, coffee, and rice agriculture was found to cause streamside salamander larva mortality of 90% if present at concentrations above 5 μg/L.