The eggs are laid on the ground; the males transport the tadpoles to permanent pools. Its range is less than 5,000 square km; destruction of this habitat has contributed to P. terribilis becoming an endangered species.
The behavior of P. terribilis involves laying eggs on the ground and having males transport tadpoles to long-term water bodies. However, its population is limited to a small area of less than 5,000 square kilometers; this habitat destruction has resulted in the species being classified as endangered.