[2][3] Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist savanna, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, heavily degraded former forests, aquaculture ponds, and canals and ditches.

Its large, bony head, resembles a hat or helmet, which is the inspiration for its English and Latin names.

The male frog climbs to a branch about 2.5 meters above the ground and sings for the females.

The female lays eggs in temporary bodies of water, such as solution pits.

When the weather is dry or the sun is hot, this frog seeks out holes in a tree.