Adult: Species description based on Duellman (2001). A fairly large treefrog with a distinct triangular-shaped helmet on the head (males to 56 mm, females to 59 mm). Dorsal: The dorsal surface is light brown (sometimes yellowish or greyish), with or without some darker markings. The thighs are often barred. Ventral: The ventral surface is brown, darkening to black on the throat and chest. Concealed surfaces: The rear surfaces of the thighs are dark brown. A narrow yellow stripe often separates the dark coloration from the lighter coloration of the dorsum. Distinguishing characteristics: The tongue is bright yellowish orange (Duellman 2001). Eye: The eye is grey, with some yellow tint to the upper half and reddish tint to the lower half. A thin dark line separates the upper and lower halves of the eye.
Breeding season: Breeding likely occurs nearly year-round (Duellman 2001). Egg: Eggs are carried on the back of the female until hatching (Duellman 2001). They adhere to the surface of the skin (Duellman 2001). Tadpole: Eggs undergo direct development; there is no tadpole stage in this species. Metamorph juvenile: Juveniles are paler than adults, or may be orangeish in color (Duellman 2001). The upper portion of the iris of juveniles may be yellow or green (Duellman 2001).
Habitat: Lowland to montane cloudforest to 2000 m. Ecology: Hemiphractus fasciatus is nocturnal, and may be encountered at night on the ground or on low vegetation (Duellman 2001). Call: Although Hemiphractus fasciatus will emit noises when disturbed, they are not known to call (Duellman 2001). Behavior and communication: The defensive behavior of Hemiphractus fasciatus involves throwing back the head and opening the mouth to reveal the brightly colored tongue and interior of the mouth (Myers 1966, Duellman 2001). They will readily bite (Myers 1966, Duellman 2001). Type locality: Pastassa-Thal, an der Ostseite der Anden in Ecuador (but see Trueb 1974)