Adult: Species description based on Vial (1963). Not a small salamander--the largest known specimen is 71.4 mm--with a slender body and relatively long limbs. Females are longer than males (71.4 versus 65.7 mm in length, not including the tail). Dorsal: The dorsum is dark brown, with a purplish hue, and flecked with cream. Ventral: The ventral surface is similarly lavender-brown in color, turning lighter with some cream flecking on the throat. Extremities: Hands and feet have extensive webbing, but the rounded tips of the fingers protrude from the webbing.
Habitat: Lower montane forest dominated by oak to 3000 m. Ecology: Specimens collected for the original description were found in humid organic matter beneath rocks (Vial 1963). Vial (1963) mentioned that the appearance of Bolitoglossa sooyorum suggests that it may be more specialized for living beneath rocks and may thus be less tolerant of dry conditions than closely related species. Karyotype: 2N = 26 (Vial 1963) Type locality: from the Cordillera Talamanca, Cerro de la Muerte at 9,000 feet, 12 miles southeast of El Empalme, Provincia de Cartago, Costa Rica