As surface microhabitats dry in late spring, individuals retreat to rodent burrows, termite and earthworm tunnels, or other small openings. Periods of surface activity are strongly correlated with fall, winter, and spring precipitation. Prefers moist substrates with surface objects for cover. Aestivates during drier periods. Individuals have not been observed to actively defend resources, but females are commonly found in the immediate vicinity of egg clusters.
Hatching occurs in the spring.
A semifossorial species able to enter termite tunnels, earthworm burrows and other small openings that are unavailable to other more robust salamanders. Primary predators are probably small snakes such as the ringneck snake. Stomach contents of the salamander Batrachoseops attenuatus in California. Cunningham, J. D. 1960. Aspects of the ecology of the Pacific slender salamander, Batrachoseps pacificus, in southern California.