Clinotarsus alticola are sexually dimorphic: males are 32–47 mm (1.3–1.9 in) in snout–vent length and females 43–61 mm (1.7–2.4 in).
The advertisement call of males is a bird-like "chirp".
In breeding sites, males greatly outnumber females and attempt to dislodge one another from the backs of females.
Outside the breeding season adult Clinotarsus alticola are rarely encountered.

The tadpoles of Clinotarsus alticola are distinctive: they are large (up to 98 mm (3.9 in) in length), have many glands, and are black in colouration with red ocelli.
The caudal ocellus is a unique feature among ranid tadpoles.
Its colouration may be aposematic.
Clinotarsus alticola are sexually dimorphic: males are 32–47 mm (1.3–1.9 in) in snout–vent length and females 43–61 mm (1.7–2.4 in). The advertisement call of males is a bird-like "chirp". In breeding sites, males greatly outnumber females and attempt to dislodge one another from the backs of females. Outside the breeding season adult Clinotarsus alticola are rarely encountered.
The tadpoles of Clinotarsus alticola are distinctive: they are large (up to 98 mm (3.9 in) in length), have many glands, and are black in colouration with red ocelli. The caudal ocellus is a unique feature among ranid tadpoles. Its colouration may be aposematic.
Clinotarsus alticola