Rainfall and snowmelt are important in the formation and maintenance of breeding ponds. Most surface movements such as migration to and from breeding ponds, and the dispersal of juveniles away from ponds, are associated with sustained rainfall, especially at night. Wide variety of habitats. Found primarily in yellow pine, mixed conifer, and red fir forests associated with mountain meadows. A. m. croceum is found in oak woodlands and riparian habitats.
Adults are subterranean most of the year.
Nocturnal surface activity in the periods preceeding and following breeding. In montane situations, salamanders emerge and migrate to breeding ponds as soon as springtime temperatures are warm enough to reduce snow cover and open ponds. A. m. croceum begins breeding migrations with the first heavy rains of fall. Return migrations may occur immediately after breeding, or may not take place until several weeks after the cessation of breeding activities. Larvae metamorphose prior to the drying of breeding ponds, but at high elevations larvae may overwinter in permanent ponds.