Relatively rare species, more common in the eastern part of Latvia. It inhabits open and semi-enclosed habitats and cultivated landscapes with light soil, in which it digs in. It becomes active on the surface when it gets darker. The only Latvian amphibian with a vertical pupil. Reproductive water bodies are small, it can be found in them in late April – first half of May. The mating call is quiet, sings underwater. Small terrestrial invertebrates in the feed.