Dense herbaceous vegetation along streams and within fens, often near forests. Rocky, spring-fed streams along Middle Mississippi Border Division. Characteristic animal of cave entranceways. Lives in cool, high-quality waters, and can withstand lower temperature than most other species of Rana. Breeding call is a low, snoring sound lasting 1-2 seconds.
Tadpoles transform by midsummer.
Uncommon, vulnerable to habitat deterioration. A habitat specialist, its distribution is fragmentary and incompletely known.