It is endemic to Chile and occurs on the western slopes of the Andes in Maule and Bío Bío Regions.

The only stable population is in the Altos de Lircay National Reserve in Maule.

The only other localities, both in the Bío Bío Region, are its type locality in Chillan, where it was not found in 2014, and Ralco where it was last observed in 1981.

It is threatened by habitat loss caused by fires, conversion of native habitat to pine and eucalyptus plantations, and in Ralco, hydropower dams.

Trout in Altos de Lircay are also a threat.