The golden thorius is the most colourful and sizeable member of the Thorius salamanders, although it measures just 57 mm in total length. Very little is known about this species, and it is found living at very high altitudes in terrestrial habitats within montane pine-oak-fir forests and upper cloud forests, hiding under stones and logs. This species does not adapt to degraded or secondary habitats, and is thought to be threatened by factors such as habitat destruction, climate change and possibly a virulent disease, such as chytridiomycosis.