The Veracruz pigmy salamander is a relatively small species, growing to less than 50 mm in total length. This species requires moist environments in which to hide, such as damp rock crevices, rotting logs and leaf litter. Habitat alteration as a result of extensive agricultural activities throughout this species range has reduced the area of suitable habitat, converting much of the original forest into shadeless, open areas. It has experienced more than an 80% of the wild population has been lost in the last 15 years. It has been speculated that the adverse environmental impacts of a volcanic eruption, or even virulent disease (such as chytridiomycosis), might have contributed to the recent dramatic decline.