The head is wider than it is long and as wide or slightly narrower than the body.

Unusually for Telmatobius of northern Peru, tympanum is present, albeit largely concealed posteriorly and dorsally by the robust supratympanic fold.

[4] Telmatobius ignavus is a semi-aquatic frog that and can be found under rocks in streams and associated pools in very humid montane forest, humid lower montane forest, grassland, and possibly dry lower montane forest at elevations of 1,840–3,080 m (6,040–10,100 ft) above sea level.

[4] This species tolerates some habitat disturbance, provided that water quality remains good.

Possible threats include habitat loss (stream degradation caused by agricultural activities), chytridiomycosis, and harvesting for human consumption and medicinal uses.