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N»?*'»' Jlllllllllllllllllllli t9 6 3 0864 0014 0159 8 ^ lllll llimi liiiniii i^n 7 library Preliminary Amphibian and Reptile Survey f the Helena Natinal Frest: 1995 STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION.!UN IP 1998 MONTANA STATE LIBRARY.,^, 1515 E. 6th AVE. HELENA, MONTANA 59S2Q A Reprt t: USDA Frest Service Helena Natinal Frest 2880 Skyway Drive ^,^elena,mt 59601 # i%j M M irf t^ Submitted by JM-IES D. REICHEL March 1996 Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram 1515 East Sixth Avenue P.O. Bx 201800 Helena. MT 59620-1800

1996 Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram This dcument shuld be cited as fllws: Reichel, J. D. 1996. Preliminary amphibian and reptile survey f the Helena Natinal Frest: 1995. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram. Helena, MT. 87 pp. 11

ABSTRACT A ttal f 44 sun'eys and several additinal sightings were made in the Helena Natinal Frest (HNF) between May and August 1995. Lcalized areas acrss the entire frest were cvered in the survey. Surveys f pnds, lakes, seeps, streams r ther wetlands, made by 1 r 2 individuals. Each survey tk 10-150 persn-minutes and cnsisted f a thrugh search f the wetland perimeter and netting f near shre aquatic habitats fr adults, eggs, larvae, and tadples. Stream sampling was dne by hand and dipnet. Seeps were checked by rlling ver rcks and lgs in and near wet areas. In additin t surs'eys, sightings were made frm rad kills, vcal identificatins, r frtuitus sightings by ther reliable individuals. Fur amphibians are present n the HNF: Lng-ted Salamander (Ambystma macrdactylum). Tailed Frg {Ascaphus truei). Western Tad {Buf breas), and Sptted Frg {Rana pretisa). The Sptted Frg was the mst widespread amphibian tlirughut the frest. The Tailed Frg has been reprted frm a single lcatin n the Lincln District. Lng-ted Salamanders were fund thrughut the main Rcky Muntain chain and in the Elklim Muntains. The Western Tad was fund in very few lcatins n the HNF in 1995, all in the main Rcky Muntain chain. Histrically it has been reprted in the Big Belt Muntains; hwever it was nt fund there during ur surveys. This is cnsistent with the apparent reginwide declines in this species. Fur ther prairie-inliabiting amphibians have been reprted in the area, thugh in sme cases well away frm HNF lands; these include the Western Chrus Frg {Pseudacris trisehatd), Wdhuse's Tad {Buf wdhusii), Plains Spadeft {Scaphipus bmbifrns), and Nrthern Lepard Frg {Rana pipiens). The Western Chrus Frg is cmmn in prairie pnds t the nrth and east f HNF lands; tw reprts were received fr the Helena Natinal Frest, but need cnfimiatin. A tadple reprted t be a Wdhuse's Tad is present at the Mntana State University Museum; given the difficulty in identifying tad tadples and distance frm knwn sites, this shuld be treated as hypthetical until verified. The Plains Spadeft is knwn frm the Helena Valley, but has yet t be fund in the ITNF. A reprt was received f a Nrthern Lepard Frg frm the vicinity f McDnald Pass; given the distance frm ther knwn lcatins and unusual habitat, this reprt shuld be treated as hypthetical until verified. The Nrthern Lepard Frg was als reprted histrically frm several prairie areas, utside and at lwer elevatins than HNF lands. The Deepdale Fishing Access Site had frgs as recently as 1994, hwever three surveys in 1995 failed t relcate them. Nrthern Lepard Frgs are nearly extirpated frm western Mntana, and recent evidence indicates a decline elsewhere in Mntana (except perhaps the sutheast cmer). Ten reptiles have been reprted frm near the HNF, but nly tliree have been definitely reprted frm n the frest: the Racer {Cluber cnstrictr), Western Terrestrial Garter Snake {Thamnphis elegans) and Cnimn Garter Snake {TJwmnphis sirtalis). All were reprted in the main Rcky Muntains. The Racer and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake als were fund in the Big Belt Muntains and there is a recrd f the Cmmn Garter Snake frm the Elklim Muntains. The fllwing reptiles have been reprted in the area and may eventually be fund n lwer elevatin HNF lands: Painted Turtle {Chrysemys picta). Spiny Sftshell {Trinyx spinifera). Shrt-hmed Lizard {Phrynsina duglasi). Rubber Ba {Charina bttae). Milk Snake {Lcmprpeltis triangidum), Gpher Snake {Pituphis catenifer), and Western Rattlesnake ni

{Crtalus viridis). Elkhm Muntains. The Painted Turtle has been recrded just ff the HNF n the east side f the The Spiny Sftshell is present in large rivers at lwer elevatins; it has been Bth the Shrt- reprted frm Canyn Ferry Reservir, but there is n recent cnfirmatin. hmed Lizard and Milk Snake are present in the area near Three Frks, suth f the HNF. The Rubber Ba has been recrded just ff the HNF suth f Helena and near Granite Butte; it surely ccurs n the HNF. The Gpher Snake has been reprted frm the intermuntain valleys, as clse as Va mile frm the HNF. The Western Rattlesnake als has been recrded just ff the HNF; v/iih several recrds at lwer elevatins, it prbably will eventually be fund n the HNF lands. IV

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii vii INTRODUCTION 1 METHODS AND MATERIALS 2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3 Species kn\vn t be present n the Helena Natinal Frest 6 Lng-ted Salamander {Ambystma macrdactylum) 6 Tailed Frg {Ascaphus truei) 8 Western Tad {Buf breas) 10 Sptted Frg {Rana pretisa) 12 Racer {Cluber cnstrictr) 14 Western Terrestrial Garter Snake {Thamnphis elegans) 16 Cmmn Garter Snake {Thamnphis sirtalis) 18 Species Ptentially Present n the Helena Natinal Frest 20 Western Chrus Frg {Pseiidacris triseriata) 20 Wdhuse's Tad {Buf wdhusii) 22 Plains Spadeft {Scaphipus [=SpeaJ bmbifrns) 24 Nrthern Lepard Frg {Rana pipiens) 26 Painted Turtle {Chrysemys picta) 28 Spiny Sftshell {Trinyx spiniferus) {=Apa!ne spiniferd) 30 Shrt-hmed Lizard {Phrynsma duglasi) 32 Rubber Ba {Charina bttae) 34 Milk Snake {Lamprpeltis trianguhun) 36 Gpher Snake {Pituphis catenifer [=melanleucusj) 38 Western Rattlesnake {Crtahis viridis) 40 Reginal Infrmatin 41 Rcky Muntain chain 41 Elkhm Muntains 41 Big Belt Muntains 42 Dry Range 42 RECOMMENDATIONS 43 Surveys, Mnitring and Research 43 Management 44 BIBLIOGRAPHY 45 V

Appendix 1. Data Sheets used fr Reptiles and Amphibian Surveys and Observatins 59 Appendix 2. Sites surveyed during 1995 amphibian and reptile surveys 61 Appendix 3. Amphibians and reptiles bserved during surveys n r near the Helena Natinal Frest in 1995 64 Appendix 4. Amphibians and reptiles reprted frm in and arund the Helena Natinal Frest 66 Appendix 5. Ntes n harlequin surveys and examinatin f ptential nrthern bg lemming habitat n the Helena Natinal Frest 83 Appendix 6. Heritage prgram species ranking definitins 85 VI

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wuld like t thank the staff frm the Helena Natinal Frest fr their assistance in determining the lcatin f pssible sur\'ey sites, infrmatin n heip bser\'atins, field assistance, and ther supprt; they included Quinn Carver, Brent Cstain, Dug Grupenhff, Archie Haiper, Shane Hendricksn, Cnnie Jacbs, Barry Paulsn, Melanie Sctt, and Len Walch. D. D. Dver, J. Hinshaw, C. Jnes, and K. Jurist assisted with field wrk, data entry, and map preparatin. Financial supprt fr the prject came frm the Helena Natinal Frest (U.S. Frest Service, Nrthern Regin) and the Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram (Mntana State Library, Natural Resurces Infrmatin System and The Nature Cnsers'ancy). Museum recrds were received frm: American Museum f Natural Histry, Academy f Natural Science, Bingham Yung University, Califrnia Academy f Science, Carnegie Museum, University f Puget Sund Museum, Field Museum f Natural Histry, Glacier Natinal Park Museum, Illinis Natural Histry Survey, University f Kansas, Ls Angeles Cunty Museum, Luisiana State University Museum f Zlgy, Museum f Cmparative Zlgy - Harvard, Milwaukee Public Museum, Mntana State University Museum, Michigan State University Museum, Nrth Carlina State Museum f Natural Histry, Nrthern Luisiana University Museum, University f Clrad Museum, University f Gergia Museum f Natural Histry, University f Idah Museum, University f Michigan Museum, University f Mntana Museum, University f Suth Dakta, United States Natinal Museum f Natural Histry, University f Texas - Arlingtn, University f Texas - El Pas, Peabdy Museum - Yale, University f Califrnia-Berkeley Museum f Vertebrate Zlgy, and Mid-cntinental Eclgical Sciences Center at University f New Mexic Museum f Suthwestern Bilgy. Much f the museum data was received with the help f Dr. Charles Petersn, Idah State University, Pcatell. 's'il

INTRODUCTION Many amphibians are apparently declining in the western U.S. and wrld-wide (Cm and Fgelman 1984, Phillips 1994, Yffe 1992). Acid rain, zne depletin, pllutin by txic chemicals and heavy metals, predatin and/r cmpetitin by extic species, habitat alteratin, climate change, disease, immune system prblems, and sme cmbinatin f these factrs have all been suggested as pssible causes (Blaustein et al. 1994a, 1994b; Crn and Fgelman 1984; Phillips 1994; Yffe 1992). Bass and nn-native trut have been intrduced int waters n r near the Helena Natinal Frest (HNF) and have been implicated in declines f native amphibian ppulatins in sme areas. Past frestry practices and large scale lgging cntinue t be detrimental t resident herpetfauna (Bury et al. 1991). The Tailed Frg (Ascaphiis truei), present n the HNF, is thught t be ne f the mst sensitive indicatrs f stream-side and aquatic cmmunity health in frested landscapes (R. B. Bury, pers. cmm.). Preliminary data indicate the Nrthern Lepard Frg {Rana pipiens) has disappeared ver much f its frmer range in western Mntana and is declining in at least sme areas f eastern Mntana (Hendricks and Reichel in review; Reichel 1995a, 1995b; Werner and Reichel 1994, 1996). The US Fish and Wildlife Service nw lists the Western Tad {Biif breas) as a Candidate (C-1) species in Clrad, Wyming and New Mexic. Apparent declines have recently been reprted in nrthern Idah (C. Petersn pers. cmm.), nrthwest Mntana (Reichel and Flath 1995; Werner and Plumber 1995; Werner and Reichel 1994, 1996), Yellwstne Natinal Park (Kch and Petersn 1995), Wyming, and Clrad (Carey 1993). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed tw Mntana amphibians and tw reptiles as Candidate (C2) species: the Sptted Frg {Rana pretisa). Tailed Frg, Shrt-hmed Lizard {Phrynsma duglasi) and Nrthern Sagebmsh Lizard {Scelprus gracisus gracisus). The U.S. Frest Service Regin 1 lists the Ceur d'alene Salamander {Plethdn idahemis) as "Sensitive" and is cnsidering adding several ther amphibians. The Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram and the Mntana Department f Fish, Wildlife and Parks list 6 amphibians [Ceur d'alene Salamander, Idah Giant Salamander {Dicamptdn aterrimns). Tailed Frg, Canadian Tad {Buf hemiphrys). Sptted Frg, Wd Frg {Rana sylvatica)] and 7 reptiles [Snapping Turtle {Chelydra serpentina). Spiny Sftshell {Trinyx spiniferus). Shrt-hmed Lizard, Sagebrush Lizard, Western Hgnse Snake [Heterdn nasicus). Smth Green Snake {Ophedrys vemalis). Milk Snake {Lamprpeltis triangulum)] as species f special cncem in the state. The Nrthern Lepard Frg and Western Tad are being cnsidered fr additin t the species f special cncem list; currently they n the watch list. Seven f these species, the Tailed Frg, Western Tad, Sptted Frg, Nrthern Lepard Frg, Spiny Sftshell, Shrt-hmed Lizard, and Milk Snake ccur r ptentially ccur n the HNF.

METHODS AND MATERIALS Histric lcatins f amphibians and reptiles were recrded frm literature (see Bibligraphy) and museum specimen recrds. Recrds were received frm ver 20 majr museum cllectins in Nrth America (see Acknwledgments). Lcatins derived frm these surces have been entered int a database and digitized. Survey sites were chsen based n 4 criteria: 1) high pririty sites as determined by the ILNF; 2) lcatin f streams, seeps and wetlands n tpgraphic maps; 3) accessibility f the wetlands by rads r hiking trails; and 4) cnversatins with district bilgists regarding stream-seepwetland lcatins. Based n the abve, 2-8 sites were chsen daily fr surveys. A ttal f 10-150 persn-minutes were spent at each site, depending upn the size f the area and what was fund. Initially, the entire shreline, r a majr part theref, was searched by walking slwly alng the edge and up int the surrunding vegetatin, including rlling ver rcks and lgs. regular intervals, the aquatic habitat was sampled fr tadples r larvae using dipnets. If the initial sampling shwed amphibian/reptile species present, further effrt was expended in rder t get sme idea f abundance and distributin. An attempt was made t capture at least the first few individuals f a species seen at a survey site. The species name was recrded alng with develpmental stage and sex (if pssible); the animals were then released. Representative samples f the mre cmmn species in an area were preserved fr permanent museum recrds and will be depsited at the Idah State University Museum. Water temperature, air temperature, ph, a general descriptin f the area, and ther parameters were recrded. Standard data sheets used during this prject are given in Appendix 1; the amphibian survey data sheet was develped by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is used extensively by a variety f researchers in the western U.S. At Much site-specific data was gathered during these surveys; nt all data has been analyzed r is presented in this reprt, but is available frm the Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram. Natural Heritage Prgram species status ranking definitins and explanatins are given in Appendix 6.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A ttal f 47 sites were surveyed f which 29 had ne r mre amphibian r reptile species present (Figure 1, Appendices 2 and 3); ne site was surveyed tw times. Althugh n species were fund at 1 8 sites, their absence may have been due t the time f day, weather cnditins, r ther factrs at the time f sampling. land. With three exceptins, all f the sites were n HNF In additin t the 48 sur\'eys, there were a number f sightings (i.e. rad kills, chance bservatins) fr which data are available and the sightings cnsidered reliable. Species lcatin data frm surveys, chance encunters, and histric recrds (frm the literature and museum specimens) are listed in Appendix 4. Distributin maps were created using survey and sighting data and histrical recrds; inset statewide maps fr each species are based n sight and specimen recrds, bth recent and histric. N previus publicatins r reprts n reptiles r amphibians cncentrate n the HNF area. Based n museum specimens, publicatins, surveys and incidental bsers'atins, fur amphibians and three reptiles have been lcated n the HNF; an additinal fur amphibians and seven reptiles may eventually be fund t ccur there. were actually bser\'ed during the study. Tliree amphibian and ne reptile species The fllwing results are presented as individual species summaries fr the Frest as a whle, fllwed by specific infnnatin n each muntain range. In the fllwing species accunts, the sectin n "Similar Species" cvers species nly which are knwn r suspected t ccur in Mntana; utside Mntana ther cnfusing species may ccur which are nt cvered in this reprt. fund in Reichel and Flath (1995). Phts f all Mntana amphibians and reptiles may be Keys t amphibian eggs (Livezey and Wright 1947) and tadples (Altig 1970) are a\'ailable in the literature, but are difficult t use, and fr many species are nt satisfactry fr field identificatin.

Species knwn t be present n the Helena Natinal Frest Lng-ted Salamander {Ambystma macrdactyhim) Descriptin: Adults are dart: gray t black with an irregular (and smetimes brken) green t yellw stripe dwn the middle f the back. Adult snut-vent length varies frm 2 t 3.25". All salamanders have smth mist skin withut scales. Eggs and Larvae: Egg masses are typically laid in small clusters f 5-100 eggs but may be laid singly (Nussbaum et al. 1983); egg masses are typically attached t underwater vegetatin r submerged branches. Within the clear gelatinus eggs, the embrys are smewhat light-clred, while frg and tad embr>'s are dark (e.xcept in Tailed Frgs). Larval Lng-ted Salamanders are typically brwn- r gray-clred, are fund in pnds, have tliree external gills, and are relatively small (<1.75" snut-vent) and slender. They are distinguished frm Tiger Salamander larvae by the 9-13 gill rakers n the inside f the 3rd gill arch (17-22 rakers n the Tiger Salamander); they are als smaller and lack the large head and muth. Similar species: Adult Lng-ted Salamanders can be distinguished frm Ceur d'alene Salamanders by the lngest te n the hind ft which is lnger than the sle and a yellw tlirat patch. Lng-ted Salamanders lack a grve running vertically frm nstril t muth. Habitat and Habits: Lng-ted Salamanders are fund in a wide variety f habitats frm sagebrush t nearly alpine. They breed in pnds r lakes (very rarely in slw mving streams), usually thse withut fish present; n the HNF they were fund in temprary and permanent pnds/lakes and inactive beaver pnds. Adults g t the breeding pnds immediately after snw-melt and are usually the earliest breeding amphibians in western Mntana. In the Pacific Nrthwest, eggs hatch in 3-6 weeks and metamrphsis ccurs after 2-14 mnths (Nussbaum e//. 1983, Lenard e//. 1993). Lng-ted Salamanders were fund in 14 lcatins n the HNF. The earliest surveys n 15-25 May 1995 fund nly egg masses, frm newly laid t nearly ready t hatch. July surveys fund primarily small larva, hwever, a pnd near the head f Austin Creek had 2 small larva and 1 juvenile which appeared nearly fully transfrmed; this wuld indicate at least sme larva verwinter and transfnn when ver a year ld. At an.xbw n the Blackft River a single transfrming juvenile war fund n 25 August, shwing transfrmatin may take nly ne seasn at lwer elevatin sites. Individuals were fund in the Rcky Muntains and the Elkhrn Muntains frm 4350-7050 ft. elevatin. Sptted Frgs c-ccurred at all sites and Western Tads at 2 sites. Surveying: Larvae can readily be seen in pnds during the day and sampled with a dipnet; egg masses are smewhat harder t see. During the breeding seasn, adults may als be seen in the water, particularly during night surveys. During the rest f the spring, summer and fall, adults may ccasinally be fund in and under lgs n the frest flr. Metamrphsed individuals are active at night, particularly when it is wann and rainy; they may be captured at tlais time by either night searches r pitfall traps. Status: The Lng-ted Salamander is the mst cmmn salamander in western Mntana. The Lng-ted Salamander is als cmmn n the HNF in the Rcky Muntains. The Lng-ted Salamander is als fund in the nrthwestern part f the Elklims, the farthest east reprted

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lcatin in its range. The Eikhms are the nly islated muntain range east f the Cntinental Divide where this species is fund. Hwever, nne were fund in the suthern Elklims r Big Belt Muntains. In the Lewis and Clark Natinal Frest (L&CNF) it was fund t be very lcal in distributin east f the Cntinental Divide and was nt fund in the islated ranges t the east (Reichel 1995a). Given the unique psitin f the Elklirn ppulatins mre surveys shuld be dne t better understand and dcument the distributin there. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram rank: G5 S5. Tailed Frg {Ascaphus truei) Descriptin: Adults are gray r brwn with gray, brwn, r ccasinally yellw bltches; the skin has a distinctly bumpy texture. The adult has a snut-vent length f 1.5-2" and lacks a tympanum. The uter te f the hind ft is brader than the ther tes. The male has a bulbus "tail" which acts as a penis. Eggs and Larvae: Apprximately 50 eggs are laid in rsary-like strings attached t the underside f rcks. The tadple (up t 2" lng) is unique in that it has a large muth mdified int a sucker; the clr is quite variable. Similar species: N ther frg r tad has the uter te f the hind ft brader than the ther tes; all ther frgs and tads have a tympanum behind each eye. Habitat and Habits: Tailed Frgs are fund in and alng small, swift, cld muntain streams. In the Cascade Muntains f Washingtn and Oregn, the Tailed Frg appears t be very sensitive t siltatin and frequently disappears in and dwnstream frm clearcuts and water diversins (Bury, pers. cmm.). Preliminary findings d nt indicate that this is the case in Mntana. Eggs are laid during the late summer and take apprximately 4 weeks t hatch. Tadples take 1-4 years t metamrphse, depending n water temperature (Nussbaum et al. 1983; Metter 1967). Sexual maturity in Mntana is attained at ages 6-7, (Daugherty and Sheldn 1982) which is the latest age fr sexual maturity f any Nrth American amphibian. Surveying: Tadples are frequently fund while electr-shcking fish. They may als be fund by turning ver rcks in rapid water with a net held just dwnstream. Adults are best fund by walking up streams starting 30-60 minutes after dark. Status: The Tailed Frg n the HNF is knwn frm a single bservatin frm the late 1960s n a "tributary f Cpper Creek" (Franz 1971). While Tailed Frgs shuld be cnsidered a species with a very lcalized distributin n the HNF, it may be mre cmmn and widespread in suitable habitat than is currently knwn. It shuld be lked fr tlirughut the Frest, especially t the suth and east f the currently knwn lcatin. East f the Cntinental Divide n the L&CNF it was als fund t be very lcal in distributin (Reichel 1995a). It seem dubtful that the Tailed Frg is fund in the Elkhrn Muntains given the intensity f surveys (A. Harper, pers. cmm.), and the surveyrs specifically watching fr the species, during the summer f 1995. It is cmmn and widespread in nrthwestern Mntana (Reichel and Flath 1995, Werner and Reichel 1994, 1996). Candidate species (C-2). Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram rank: Previusly it was a USFWS We wuld recmmend that all sightings f this species be reprted. G5 S3S4.

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Western Tad {Buf breas) Descriptin: Adults are clred with a gray, brwti, r live-green mttling and a prminent white r yellwish line dwn the center f the back; very yung transfrmed tads typically lack the drsal line, and the warts are ften red-brwn in clr. The adult has a bdy length f 2.5-5". The pupils are hrizntal. There are n cranial crests and the skin is relatively dry with many warts and glands present. Eggs and Larvae: Eggs are laid in lng, clear, duble strings, and each has a black embry. Tadples are typically jet black, while all mid- t large-sized frg tadples in Mntana are green r brnze (except fr sme Tailed Frgs); very small frg tadples are als black. Similar species: Other Mntana tads have cranial crests between their eyes. The Plains Spadeft has ne tubercle n the sle f the hind feet, a vertical pupil, and smther skin. NOTE: It is very difficult t distinguish amng the fur Mntana tad species eggs, larvae, and recently-transfrmed tadlets. Habitat and Habits: Adults are largely terrestrial and fund in a variety f habitats frm valley bttms t high elevatins; they breed in lakes, pnds, and slw streams with a preference fr shallw areas with mud bttms. Breeding and egg laying in Mntana usually takes place 1-3 mnths after snw-melt, frm April at lwer elevatins t July at higher sites. Tadples are typically 2-3 mnths ld at metamrphsis in Mntana, depending n water temperature (Black 1970). Fllwing metamrphsis, hundreds f small tads, many with the tails still present, can be fund n the shres f breeding pnds. breeding frm nly tw lcatins n the HNF in 1995. Western Tads were reprted We fund thusands f Vi grwn tadples in a pnd near Dg Creek n 1 1 July 1995 and 3 metamrphs n an xbw alng the Blackft River n 25 August. Surveying: Tadples are easily seen in pnds during the day and can be sampled with a dipnet. During the breeding seasn, adults may be seen in the water but at ther times are fund in mre terrestrial habitats. Status: Tadples and metamrphs f the Western Tad were bserved at nly tw sites during the 1995 survey in the HNF (Appendix 2, 3). N adults were seen during ur surveys hwever, B. Spettigue (pers. cmm.) saw ne adult near McDnald Pass (Appendix 4). Nne were seen in the Elkhm r Big Belt Muntains, althugh histric recrds exist fr sites in r near bth (Appendix 3,4). in the eastern ranges is f cncern. The rarity f this species n the HNF and lack f recent sightings During 1994 we fund n Western Tads in the Little Belt, Highwd, r Crazy Muntain f the L&CNF althugh histric recrds exist fr all three ranges; additinally nly a single breeding site was lcated n the main Rcky Muntains f the L&CNF (Reichel 1995a). Brunsn (1952) regarded the Western Tad as ne f the mst cmmn batrachians (frgs and tads) in western Mntana. Black (1970) supprted its cmmn ccurrence nt nly in the west but in many cunties east f the cntinental divide. The Western Tad has declined frm the mst cmmn anuran in western Mntana, t a relatively rare ne in the state in the past 25 years (Reichel and Flath 1995, Werner and Plumber 1995, Werner and Reichel 1994, 1996). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nw lists this species as a Candidate (C-1) species in Clrad, Wyming, and New Mexic. Apparent declines have recently been reprted in nrthern Idah (C. Petersn pers. cmm.), Yellvv'stne Natinal Park (Kch and Petersn 10

1995, Petersn et al. 1992), Wyming, and Clrad (Carey 1993). We wuld recmmend that all sightings f this species be reprted and that a mnitring prgram be set up fr this species. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram rank: G4 S3S4. Sptted Frg {Rana pretisd) Descriptin: The adult has a snut-vent length f 2-4". Adults are dark t light brwn, gray, r live green with dark spts (frequently with lighter centers) fund n the back, sides and legs. The number and pattern f sptting is quite variable. The back and sides are ften cvered with small bumps. The underside f the legs is bright red, salmn, r range; this bright clr may extend up t the chin r be replaced by a light, mttled gray n the chin, chest, and/r belly. In yunger subadults, bright leg clr is ften lacking and instead a light, lemn-clred wash is present. In these subadults there is ften a dark mask present, with a light jaw stripe extending t the shulder; bth the mask and jaw stripe may be less bvius in larger, lder animals. Eggs and Tadples: Eggs are laid in large, glbular masses f 1 50-500 at the surface f the water. The tadples are dark green t brwn n tp with sme gld flecking whereas the underside has an iridescent brnze r silver clr. eyes are lcated n tp f the head. Similar species: Ttal length f tadples may reach 3"; the The bright-clred pigment n the undersides f the adult's legs distinguish this species frm all ther fi-gs in Mntana. usually be distinguished frm ther frgs by a cmbinatin f: Yunger individuals, withut clred legs, may 1) drsal spts usually present but nt surrunded by light-clred hals; 2) drslateral flds present; 3) tes withut pads at the tips; and 4) a pale gray, (rather than white) belly. Haitat and Habits: frest habitats. Sptted Frgs are regularly fund at the water's edge in penings within Wetlands in r near treeline are als used, but ppulatins are uncmmn in the large, pen intermuntain valleys. Eggs hatch in 2-3 weeks and tadples take 2-14 mnths t metamrphse, depending n water temperature (Nussbaum et al 1983, Turner 1958). Breeding takes place in lakes, pnds (temprary and permanent), springs, and ccasinally backwaters r beaver pnds in streams. All the egg masses in a particular pnd are ften fund in the same lcatin at the margin f the pnd; therefre, the eggs are susceptible t drying up if pnd levels recede substantially befre hatching. Yung and adult fi-gs ften disperse int marsh and frest habitats but are nt usually fund far frm pen water. The Sptted Frg was cmmnly fund thrughut the HNF frm just abve the prairie edge at 4350 t 7050 ft. elevatin near timberline. Individuals were fund in every type f wetland habitat, althugh numbers varied widely frm ne t 50 r mre per site. Eggs were fund n the first sur.'eys n 1 5 May 95 at tw lcatins in the Elkhms and as late as 25 May (last spring sur\'eys). Hatching tadples were seen n 17 May 95 in the Big Belts; mid-large tadples were present during July surveys and nly metamrphs were seen by late August. The largest grup f egg masses I have seen was fund n 20 May in an ld beaver pnd n a tributary f Beaver Creek (Appendix 2); I estimated 120 egg masses were present cvering an area abut 6 X 8 ft. Sur\'eying: Adults, tadples, and eggs are easily seen in and alng the ^^'ater during the da;>' l.-:-:: 12

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can be sampled with a dipnet; adults may als be captured by hand. Many adults may leave the breeding pnds fllwing egg laying and mve t nearby feeding areas fr the summer. Tadples are difficult t distinguish frm thse f the Nrthern Lepard Frg in areas where the tw species may verlap. Status: The mst cmmn frg n the ITNF and in western Mntana. It was bserved in all areas sur\'eyed n the HNF, and ccurred in all 28 sites where any amphibian was species fund. Hwever, it appeared t be much less cmmn in the Big Belt Muntains than the Elklirns r main Rcky Muntains. The species was previusly a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Categry 2 Candidate species in Mntana; elsewhere in its range it is listed as a C-1, with Threatened/Endangered status warranted but precluded by wrk n higher pririty species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). While significant declines are knwn frm the suthern end f the range (Nevada, suthern Idah, Utah) and are als apparent in castal Washingtn (McAllister et al. 1993), Oregn, and Califrnia, recent (as yet unpublished) research indicates that thse ppulatins are actually different species. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram rank: G4 S4. Racer {Cluber cnstrictr) Descriptin: A slender, but mderately lng snake, the Racer ranges frm 20-65 inches in length. Adult clratin is unifrm acrss the drsal side but it can vary frm a greenish-gray t brwn r blue. The ventral side is whitish t pale yellw, the latter clr extending nt the upper lip scales and nasal regin. The eyes are relatively large. The scales are smth and the nstril is brdered by tw scales. Yung: Snakes (up t abut 20") have a much different clratin than the adults cnsisting f a series f drsal brwn bltches edged with black which run the length f the animal; a rw f bltches is als fund n each side f the animal extending nt the ventral side. Similar species: Yung Gpher Snakes may be distinguished by the keeled rather than smth scales f the yung Racer. Yung Western Hgnse Snakes have an upturned nse. Smth Green Snakes are smaller and clred bright grass-green and whitish belw; their nstrils are centered in single scales. Als see Rubber Ba. Habitat and Habits: The Racer is assciated with pen habitats, either in shrtgrass, slirub-steppe, r frested areas (Hammersn 1982a, Ba.xter and Stne 1985). It is ften fund near water and rcks. The Racer is an extremely fast and agile snake. A clutch f perhaps 3-7 eggs is laid in the summer (Stebbins 1985). and frgs. Surveying: It preys n insects and small vertebrates such as mice They may be sur\'eyed fr by slwly walking thrugh apprpriate habitat n warm, sunny days and carefiiuy watching fr them; this technique is mderately effective fr the Racer. Hwever, as with many lizards and snakes, they may easily be missed. Carefully dcumented incidental bsen'atins may prvide the best clues t their distributin. They may be als taken in funnel traps with drift fences. Mark-recaplTjre methds ffer the best Status: pprtunity fr determining ppulatin status. The Racer was nt seen in this sur\'ey, hwever, Davis (1963) has a map f this species which shws recrds apparently n the HNF. A mre recent sighting was made just ff the 14

Seiben Ranch belw the Frest. They wuld be expected t ccur n the HNF at lw t midelevatins; given the pr accuracy f the Davis (1963) map, any sightings shuld be dcumented. Of particular interest wuld be dcumentatin f any denning sites lcated. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S5. Western Terrestrial Garter Snake {Thanmphis elegans) Descriptin: Adult Western Terrestrial (r Wandering) Garter Snakes are smaller in bdy size than the Cmmn Garter Snake, their length varying frm 18-43". Tliree yellw lngitudinal stripes are present (ne drsal, tw lateral n the 2nd and 3rd scale rws), but the drsal stripe is much narrwer than that f the Cmmn Garter Snake. A distinctive feature f the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is a series f alternating black spts which run the length f the bdy between, and smewhat n, the yellw stripes. The backgrund clr between the stripes is a dusky gray, green r brwn, cmpared t the black r ccasinally dark green fund in the Cmmn Garter Snake. bltches which may cver mst f the surface. The ventral surface has a series f dark black/br\\'n All black, presumably melanistic, individuals are ccasinally fund near Twnsend. The drsal scales are keeled and there are nrmally 8 upper labial scales. Yung: The clratin f yung snakes is similar t that f the adults; yung are live-bm. Similar species: See Cmmn Garter Snake. Habitat and Habits: The habitat and habits f the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake are similar t the Cmmn Garter Snake, i.e., they are fund in mst habitats but are particularly cmmn arund wetlands. In the HNF area the species was fund between 3450 ft in the valley bttm and 6200 ft near McDnald Pass, but prbably ccurs higher. Females give birth t 4-19 yung during the summer (Stebbins 1985). Surveying: Timed sight surveys may be cnducted arund wetlands and riparian feeding areas r Status: at denning areas where higher cncentratins f garter snakes ccur; clear mrnings are the best survey times. Much distributinal infrmatin may cme frm recrding incidental sightings. Mre intensive research may be dne using funnel traps in cmbinatin with drift fences. Mre intensive research and survey prjects may use mark-recapture r raditelemetry techniques. Western Terrestrial Garter Snakes were fund in the main Rcky Muntains and Big Belt Muntains n the HNF; there are als histric lcatins just ff the frest at the base f the Elkhm Muntains. Given the small number f recent recrds frm tlirughut the area, all recrds shuld be dcumented until the distributin is better understd; f particular interest wuld be dcumentatin f denning sites. Sightings f elegans frm the Elklim Muntains shuld be dcumented t cnfinii their presence in that range. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S5. 16

Cmmn Garter Snake {Thamnphis sirtalis) Descriptin: The Cmmn Garter Snake cnsists f tw clr phases in western Mntana, bth ranging frm 1 8-52" in length. Bth phases have tliree yellw lngitudinal stripes: ne lcated drsally and ne n each side n the 2nd and 3rd scale rws abve the belly scales. Between the yellw stripes is a black (r dark green) backgrund, brken with red spts in ne clr phase but lacking red in the ther. Ventral clratin varies frm yellw t bluish, and sme individuals f the red-sided clr phase have small black spts n the edge f the ventral scales. The drsal scales are keeled, and nrmally there are 7 upper labial scales. Yung: The clratin f yung snakes is similar t that f the adults; yung are live-brn. Similar species: The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake has black spts verlapping the drsal yellw stripe; the backgrund clr between stripes tends t be paler dusky green, gray r brwti. The Plains Garter Snake has the side yellw stripe n the 3rd and 4th scale rws abve the belly scales and the drsal stripe is ften range r red. Habitat and Habits: Garter snakes are fund in all frest habitats but are mre cmmn at lwer elevatins arund marsh-bg-pnd situatins, where they prey n yung fish, frgs, tads, mice and invertebrates. They are smetimes cnfused with water snakes because f their frequent aquatic explits, but there are n true water snakes in Mntana. Typical f mst garter snakes, they emit a nxius secretin when handled and can be aggressive when disturbed. The Cmmn Garter Snake was reprted at tw lcatins in 1995, bth abut 5600 feet, n the HNF by A. Harper and S. Hendricksn; histrically they have als been fund at lw elevatins in the intermuntain valleys. Garter snakes eat a variety f vertebrates and invertebrates, with the Cmmn Garter Snake cncentrating mre n amphibians than the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake. The Cmmn Garter Snake is a livebearer giving birth t 12-18 yung during the summer in Clrad (Hammersn 1982a). Surveying: Status: Timed-sight surx'eys may be cnducted arund wetlands and riparian feeding areas r at denning areas where higher cncentratins f garter snakes ccur; clear mrnings are the best survey times. Much distributinal infrmatin may cme frm recrding incidental sightings. Mre intensive research may be dne using funnel traps in cmbinatin with drift fences. Mre intensive research and survey prjects may use mark-recapture r raditelemetry tecliniques. Cmmn Garter Snakes were fund in the Rcky Muntains and Elkhm Muntains n the HNF. There is als a histric recrd f them frm the valley between the tw lcatins. Given the small number f recrds frm thrughut the area, all recrds shuld be dcumented until the distributin is better understd; f particular interest wuld be dcumentatin f denning sites. Sightings f sirtalis frm the Big Belt Muntains and Rcky Muntains nrth f McDnald Pass shuld be dcumented t cnfirm their presence in thse areas. Only the red-sided clr phase has bserved in this area, hwever the clr phase lacking red spts shuld be watched fr. The Cmmn Garter Snake is much less abundant than the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake in this area, as it is currently in nrthwestern Mntana. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S4. 18

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Species Ptentially Present n the Helena Natinal Frest Western Chrus Frg (Pseudacris thseriata) Descriptin: Adults are very small (0.75-1.5") and have tiny, almst unnticeable te pads. They have a dark line extending frm the snut thiugh the eye t the grin. Basic clratin is quite variable with the backgrund clr being green, brwn, gray, r reddish. Typically 3-5 dark lngitudinal stripes ai-e present n the head and back which may be brken up int spts n sme individuals. Eggs and Tadples: Eggs are laid in small clusters f 10-100, usually less than 1" acrss and attached t submerged vegetatin (Wheeler and Wheeler 1966, Baxter and Stne 1985). Individual eggs are abut 1 mni in diameter. Tadples are brwn/brnze and the eyes are lcated n the sides f the head. Similar species: Pacific Chrus Frgs {Pseudacris regilla) have bvius te pads and an eye stripe ending at the shulder. Recently metamrphsed Ranid frgs culd be cnfused with this species but the clratin differs and the tiny te pads are lacking (ften visible nly with a magnifying glass n small chrus frgs). Habitat and Habits: Western Chrus Frgs are regularly fund in the water nly during the breeding perid in spring. Their presence is bvius during this time due t their call which is given frequently at night and spradically thrughut the day. Fllwing breeding, these frgs mve int adjacent uplands and are rarely seen. In eastern Mntana they breed in temprary pnds and small lakes surrunded by prairie; in sme lcatins in Mntana they are als fund in pen frested habitats. Eggs hatch in abut 2 weeks and tadples are abut 2 mnths ld at metamrphsis (Wlieeler and Wheeler 1966, Nussbaum et al. 1983). Surveying: Aduhs are easily sur\'eyed fr, using their calls fr identificatin during the breeding seasn in the spring and early summer. During the breeding seasn, adults may als be seen in the water, but their small size and habit f freezing r diving when disturbed makes bservatin difficult; night surveys may be mre prductive. Egg masses are difficult t find. Tadples may be seen in pnds during the day and can be sampled with a dipnet. Status: Cmmn tlirughut the prairies f eastern Mntana. Tw reprts f Western Chrus Frgs were received fr the HNF. One reprt was frm the vicinity f McDnald Pass and the ther frm a cw pnd in the upper Jacksn Creek drainage f the Elkhrn Muntains (Appendix 4); given the distance frm ther knwn lcatins and unusual habitat, these reprt shuld be treated as hypthetical until verified. It seems pssible that Western Chrus Frgs will eventually be verified frm the lwer elevatins f the HNF. The mst likely lcatins wuld be the extreme nrtheastern prtin f the main Rcky Muntains east f Lincln, the east side f the Big Belts, r the Dry Range. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram rank: 05 S5. 20

Wdhuse's Tad {Bitf wdhusii) Descriptin: Adults have dry skin with small warts, and are gray, brwn, r live-green with paler mttling r spts. A prminent white r yellwish line runs dwn the center f the back; very yung transfrmed tads typically lack the drsal line, and the warts are ften redbrwn in clr. Wdhuse's Tad has parallel cranial crests between the eyes and pstrbital crests cnnecting t them at a right angle behind the eyes; the pst-rbital crests typically tuch the partid glands. If a lump-like bss is present n the snut, it des nt extend back between the eyes. The pupils are hrizntal. The adult has tw black tubercles n the hind feet and a bdy length f 2.5-4". Eggs and Tadples: Similar t thse f the Western Tad. Similar species: The Western Tad lacks cranial crests. The Great Plains Tad has large, whitebrdered, dark, drsal bltches. The Canadian Tad has a lump between the eyes; frequently the partid gland is separated frm the pst-rbital crest which may be brken r absent. NOTE: It is very difficult t distinguish amng the fur Mntana tad species eggs, larvae, and recently-transfrmed tadlets. Habitat and Habits: Adults are partially terrestrial but ften fund near water. They are usually fund in irrigated agricultural areas and fld plains, rather than the mre upland areas used by Great Plains Tads (Bragg 1940, Timkin and Dunlap 1965, Black 1970). They are mst active at night, althugh they may at times be fund feeding during the day (Hammersn 1982a). They typically breed in permanent lakes, pnds, reservirs, and slw streams, with a preference fr shallw areas with mud bttms (Black 1970, Hammersn 1982a, Baxter and Stne 1985). Breeding and egg laying is spread ut ver the spring and early summer, with knwti dates frm Mntana ranging frm 4 May t 1 July (Black 1970). Surveying: Adults may easily be fund by using their lud calls fr identificatin n warm (>54 F) nights; calling peaks during the first few hurs after sunset (Hammersn 1982a). "Rad hunting" n warm nights may als be effective. Eggs and tadples are seen in pnds during the day and can be sampled with a dipnet; hwever, identificatin f tad eggs and tadples is difficult r impssible in the field. Status: Wdhuse's Tad is relatively cmmn in sutheastern Mntana, hwever, its status elsewhere in the state is unclear. A tadple, reprted as Wdhuse's Tad, present in the Mntana State University Museum was cllected at the muth f Trut Creek n the Missuri River in 1948; it shuld be treated as hypthetical, until verified, given the difficulty identifying Bnf tadples and the lng distance t the nearest recrd. and habitat relatinships with ther tads in Mntana are nt well knwn. It shuld be Gegraphic watched fr at lw elevatins in prairie r shrub-steppe habitat n the HNF; it culd ccur alng the Missuri Ri\'er. Any lcated n the HNF shuld be well dcumented with a descriptin indicating hw the species was differentiated. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram rank: G5 S4. 01

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Plains Spadeft {Scaphipus [=Spea] bmbifrns) Descriptin: Adults are clred gray r brwn with darker mttling n the back and a white belly. Sme individuals have indistinct lngitudinal streaking. The pupils f the Plains Spadeft are vertically elliptical and there is a high, hard lump between the eyes. less warty than true tads. length f less than 2.5". Its skin is The adult has a single tubercle n the hind feet and has a bdy Eggs and Tadples: Oval egg masses f 10-250 eggs are attached t underwater plants r debris. Tadples are mttled sty and live-yellw abve and paler belw with gld metallic flecking ver all; iris is gld. Similar species: Habitat and Habits: Other Mntana frgs and tads have rund r hrizntally elliptical pupils. Adults are fund in grassland and sagebrush areas, particularly in areas with sandy r lse sil (Wheeler and Wheeler 1966, Hammersn 1982a, Baxter and Stne 1985). Except during breeding, they are seldm fund in the water. They are primarily ncturnal and emerge frm their burrws nly fllwing heavy rains. They breed in shallw temprary pls usually fllwing heavy spring r summer rains (Hammersn 1982a). ludly, with grups being heard fr up t a mile. Males call Eggs hatch after 2-3 days and tadples transfrai in 6-10 weeks (Wheeler and Wheeler 1966, Hammersn 1982a). Surveying: Adults may be easily fund by using their calls fr identificatin when breeding at night r by "rad hunting" n wann, rainy nights. Calling nrmally takes place nly when the temperature is >50 F (Hammersn 1982). Tadples are seen in pnds during the day and can be sampled with a dipnet. species spends undergrund, especially during drughts. Status: The Plains Spadeft is nt knwn frm ITNF lands; Surveying is cmplicated by the lng time perids which this the nearest recrd is frm Helena in 1988. Lcally cmmn in eastern Mntana; there are large gaps in the knwn range. It shuld be watched fr at lw elevatins in prairie r shrub-steppe habitat n the HNF. Any lcated n the HNF shuld be well-dcumented. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram rank: G5 S4? 24

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Nrthern Lepard Frg {Rana pipiens) Descriptin: Adults are brwn r green with large, dark spts surrunded by light-clred hals n the sides and back. The drs-latcral flds (ridges alng the sides f the back) are usually lighter in clr that the surrunding backgrund. The under-side is typically white, but may be cream-clred r yellwish. The adult has a bdy length f 2-5". Newly transfrmed frglets may lack spts and are abut 1" in length (Lenard et al. 1993). Eggs and Tadples: Eggs are laid in 2-5" glbular masses cmpsed f hundreds t thusands f eggs (Hammersn 1982a, Nussbaum et al. 1983). The tadples are brwn t dark brwti n tp with sme metallic flecking, whereas the underside is ften nearly transparent (Nussbaum et al 1983). eyes are lcated n tp f the head. Similar species: Ttal length f tadples may reach mre than 3"; the Nne, althugh sme newly-transfrmed frglets may lack spts, which makes them extremely difficult t distinguish frm Sptted and Wd Frgs. Habitat and Habits: Nrthern Lepard Frgs are fund in r near water in nn-frested habitats. Vegetatin is typically dense, as in a cattail marsh r dense sedge-meadw. Breeding takes place in lakes, pnds (temprary and permanent), springs, and ccasinally backwaters r beaver pnds in streams. In Clrad, eggs hatch in 4-15 days and tadples take 8-15 weeks t metamrphse, depending n water temperature (Hammersn 1982a). Surveying: Bth adults, tadples, and eggs are easily seen in and alng the water during the day and can be sampled with a dipnet; adults may als be captured by hand. At very lw Status: densities adults may be difficult t find and may be detected using a call recrder. are difficult t tell frm thse f the Sptted Frg in areas where the tw species may verlap. Tadples Histrically, the Nrthern Lepard Frg was widespread in Mntana but it nw appears t be extinct tlirughut much f the western part f the state. It is still cmmn and widespread in the sutheastern cmer f the state, but it may be declining in central and nrtheastern Mntana. It appears that nly lcalized ppulatins are present n the western edge f the plains. A single reprt f this frg is knwn frm the HNF; an bsers'atin f ne was made near McDnald Pass in 1994. Given the recent declines in this species and the unusual habitat, this recrd shuld be treated as hypthetical until verified. Several ther recrds exist frm near HNF lands at lwer elevatins. The mst recent recrd was f a few individuals seen at the Deepdale Fishing Access suth f Twnsend in 1994; hwever, despite three surveys, nne were seen in 1995. Due t its significant decline and lack f current reprts frm the HNF, all sightings f this species shuld be dcumented. Nrthern Lepard Frgs are nw absent frm many ther areas in Nrth America where they were cmmn a few decades ag. Widespread extinctins are knwn frm Alberta (Knz 1993), Wyming (Kch and Petersn 1995), Clrad (Hammersn 1982b, Crn and Fgelman 1984), Idah (Grves and Petersn 1992), Washingtn, and Oregn (Lenard et al. 1993). Bullfrg and fish intrductins, acid rain, zne depletin, immune system suppressin, and "Pstmetamrphic Death Syndrme" have all been suggested as causes fr frg extirpatins in ther areas (Cm and Fgelman 1984, Hammersn 1982b, Carey 1993, Lenard e//. 1993). Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram ranj<:: G4 S3S4. 26

Painted Turtle {Chrysemys picta) Descriptin: Adult Painted Turtles have a relatively flat drsal shell, r carapace, the length f which may reach 9" in females and 7" in males. The backgrund clr f the shell may be dark brwn, live, r black. A series f shrt, irregular yellw lines are ften scattered acrss the shell, and a red and black brder frms the uter edge. The ventral shell, r plastrn, is red with a centrally-lcated yellw and black bltch with edges flaring ut alng the brder f the scutes. The edge f the plastrn als has a series f black and yellw bltches. The head, neck, and legs are marked with yellw lines and a red spt appears behind the eye. Very dark clred individuals are ccasinally fund. Males are distinguished by lnger frnt claws and lnger tails with the anus psterir t the margin f the carapace (Ernst et al. 1994). Eggs and Yung: The elliptical, white, sft-shelled eggs are abut 28-35 mm in length and 16-23 mm in width (Ernst et al. 1994). They typically number 6-23 per clutch. Clratin f yung Painted Turtles is mre vibrant and the shell is nt quite as flattened as adults. Similar Species: Nne. Habitat and Habits: Painted Turtles are active during the day and are rarely seen far frm pnds, lakes, r the slw-mving water f streams. Adults are primarily herbivrus, feeding n a variety f aquatic plants, but will als scavenge n animal remains. Eggs are usually laid within 10-20 feet f the water's edge, althugh sme individuals will travel up t 600 m seeking a suitable site. During egg-laying, the female excavates a hle with her hind feet and depsits the eggs, which are then cvered by several inches f dirt. Predatin n turtle eggs by raccns, skunks, etc. is cmmn, and shell fragments are evidence f such activity. Female Painted Turtles may lay mre than ne clutch f eggs each summer. Yung brne f late egg depsitins verwinter in the nest and d nt emerge until the fllwing spring (Ernst et al. 1994). Once females lay their eggs, they return t the pnd, where they can ften be seen basking n lgs r rcks alng with juveniles and males. Painted Turtles are sexually mature at 3-5 years f age and may live t be 30 years r lder (Ernst et al. 1994). Surveying: Althugh varius turtle traps can be used fr surveys, visual identificatin is suitable fr presence/absence studies since the three turtle species in Mntana are easily distinguished. Basking peaks at different times during the day, depending n seasn and lcatin; in the nrthern states and Canada it generally peaks in the mrning. be dne n sunny days with a pair f binculars. Surveys shuld During cld r cludy weather, turtles tend t remain underwater fr lng perids and can be missed n a walk-thrugh survey. Status: Painted Turtles are lcally quite cmmn in Mntana at lwer elevatins. They were nt fund n the HNF. Hwever they are knwn frm lwer elevatin areas n the plains adjacent t the frest, and were reprted within Va mile f the frest bundary by A. Harper and S. Hendricksn (pers. cmm.) in the western Elkhm Muntains. They prbably ccur n the HNF at lw elevatins; any sightings shuld be dcumented. There has been sme cncern abut Painted Turtle ppulatins natinally; whether declines have ccurred in Mntana is unknwn Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S5. 28

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Spiny Sftshell {Trinyrx spiniferus) (=Apalne spinifera) Descriptin: Spiny Sft-shells have flexible, leathery shells. The carapace is live-gray, marked with dark spts. The plastrn is white r light cream-clred. Female carapace length is up t 18 inches r mre, whereas males are typically 6-8 inches. The nstrils are terminal, allwing this turtle t remain entirely beneath the surface and take air thrugh its "snrkel." Eggs and Yung: The nest is a flask-shaped excavatin cntaining 4-39 (typically 12-18) hard-shelled, spherical, white eggs. The individual eggs range in size frm 24-32 mm in diameter and average abut 28 mm. Hatchlings resemble adults and are 30-40 mm in shell length (Ernst e/ a/. 1994). Similar Species: Nne. Habits and Habitat: Spiny Sftshells are active during the day. This highly aquatic turtle is fund in rivers r their cnnecting backwaters with muddy r sandy bttms. Mntana turtles, they d nt mve verland frm ne water bdy t anther. Unlike ther Mud and sand banks and bars are used fr bth basking and nesting. Hibernatin takes place beneath the water, usually beneath 5-10 cm f bttm substrate (Ernst et al. 1994). The retracted head and neck cmbines with the prfile f the shell t prduce a wedge shape, which allws this turtle t escape by literally diving int the bttm mud. If necessaiy, additinal strkes f the legs will cmpletely bury it in the substrate, hidden frm view. Fd items include fish, crayfish, frgs, tads, aquatic insects, and carrin. Spiny Sft-shells have a surprisingly lng, agile neck and can inflict a painful bite. They can be safely handled by grasping the shell n each side between the frnt and rear legs with the head pinting away frm the captr. Surveying: Althugh varius turtle traps can be used fr surveys, visual identificatin is suitable since the three turtle species in Mntana are easily distinguished. A pair f binculars is helpful and surveys shuld be dne n warm sumiy days; basking seldm takes place befre 10:00 a.m. (Ernst e/ a/. 1994). During cld r cludy weather, turtles tend t remain underwater fr lng perids and can be missed n a walk-thrugh surv^ey. Care shuld be taken t watch fr the snrkel-like nstrils prjecting just abve the surface f the water. Status and Distributin: Fund mainly in the Yellwstne and Missuri Rivers and their majr tributaries. These ppulatins may be separated frm each ther and are believed t be disjunct frm the ppulatin in Suth Dakta (Ernst et al. 1994); they have nt been reprted frm Nrth Dakta (Wlieeler and Wheeler 1966). The Missuri River ppulatin is knwn frm the tail f Frt Peck Reservir upstream t the first dam abve, and frm mst f the Mussellshell River; their presence n ther tributaries is presently unknwn. A specimen was reprted by Black (1970) frm Canyn Ferry Resers'ir, hwever, n museum has reprted having ne, nr have recent bilgists in the area reprted them here; it shuld be treated as hypthetical given the lng distance t the nearest recrd. Any lcated n the HNF shuld be dcumented and reprted. Cnsidered a Species f Special Cncern in Mntana. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S3. Species f Special Cncern. 30

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Shrt-hrned Lizard {Phrynsma dnglasi) Descriptin: The Shrt-hmed lizard has a brad, smewhat flattened bdy and relatively shrt limbs and tail. white. It is generally tan t gray with dark and light spts and bltches; the belly is There is a distinctive line f pinted scales alng each side, and the head has shrt, blunt "hrns" pinting backward. Adult lizards range frm 1.7-5.5" in length. Yung: Yung are live-bm and resemble small adults. Similar species: Nne. Habitat and Habits: The Shrt-hmed lizard is fund in a variety f habitats, including dry pen frests, grasslands, and sagebmsh; the sil is usually lse r sandy. In fimier sil situatins, it may use the burrws f ther animals. It is active during the day, typically with the peak f activity in mid-late mming. A Shrt-hmed Lizard may squirt bld frm its eyes when disturbed. Little is knwn abut reprductin in this part f the range; yung are bm in late summer. Ants are the primary fd f the species. Surveying: They may be surveyed fr by slwly walking tlirugh apprpriate habitat and watching carefijlly fr them; lk carefully near ant munds; this teclinique has lw success with Shrt-hmed Lizards hwever. As with many lizards and snakes, they are easily missed. distributin. fences. Carefully dcumented incidental bservatins may prvide the best clues t their They may be als taken in pitfall r funnel traps in cmbinatin with drift Status: The Shrt-hmed Lizard subspecies fund in Mntana {P. d. brevirstra) is currently a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Categry 2 Candidate species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1994). It is widely distributed (but apparently lcalized) in eastem Mntana. There are n recrds frm the Helena Natinal Frest, but there are recrds frm the Three Frks area t the suth (Reichel and Flath 1995). The mst likely places t find this species wuld be in near the suth ends f the Big Belt and Elkhm Muntains at lw elevatins. may be vulnerable t cllecting fr the pet trade and agricultural cnversin f native habitats. This species It shuld be watched fr in pen pine, prairie, r shrub-steppe habitat with lse r sandy sils; all sightings shuld be dcumented. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S4. A Species f Special Cncem.

Rubber Ba {Charvia bltae) Descriptin: The Rubber Ba lks and feels like rubber, hence its name. It is a small snake (14-33" length), stut, and unifrmly-clred either brwn r green n the drsal side. The ventral surface is cream t tan in clr. The scales are small and smth, except fr thse n the head which are enlarged. The tail is shrt and blunt and the eyes are very small. It is a very slw mving snake which can easily be caught if detected. Yung: Rubber Bas are brn alive and yung are mre tan (r even pinkish) than the adults n bth the drsal and ventral surfaces. Similar species: The Racer is much quicker and mre active, has larger eyes, and a thin, tapered (nt blunt) tail. Habitat and Habits: The Rubber Ba is a secretive, slw-mving, dcile snake, usually fund under lgs and rcks in either mist r dry frest habitats, but rarely in marsh r bg situatins. Denning lcatins are typically in areas with fractured rck n suth facing slpes; recent data indicates it rarely mves mre than a shrt distances frm its den (Petersn pers. cmm). Occasinally this snake is seen sunning itself n a rad, trail, r pen area, but it is primarily ncturnal. Feeding is primarily n small mice, but als n slirews, salamanders, snakes and lizards. Tw t eight yung are bm alive in late summer r early fall. Surveying: There are n practical methds fr surveying ther than systematic searches f a Driving rads at night, particularly after a rain when given area rlling ver rcks, lgs, etc. the temperature is > 10 C, may be mre effective, especially n rads which fllw a stream. Previus sightings are f value in lcating general areas f activity and demiing sites. traps may be effective. Funnel Status: Sightings f Rubber Bas are infrequent, but they are widely distributed and prbably cmmn thrughut western Mntana. They were nt fund during this surv-ey, nr are there histric recrds f their presence definitely lcated n the HNF. Hwever, a recrd frm Grizzly Gulch in 1994 may have been n the frest. They prbably ccur tlirughut the Rcky Muntains f the HNF at lw t mid-elevatins. They shuld be watched fr n the HNF; any sightings shuld be dcumented. Of particular interest wuld be any reprts f this species frm the Elkhm r Big Belt Muntains r dcumentatin f any denning sites lcated. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S4. 34

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Milk Snake (Lamprpeltis triangidum) Descriptin: The Milk Snake is a slender and medium-sized snake (t 42 inches in length r mre), with smth scales. It has a highly recgnizable series f red t range saddles r rings that are brdered by black bands and separated by white r yellw bands. Width f dark and light bands can \axy widely. The subspecies in Mntana {L. t. gentilis) tends t be paler, with range bands replacing red, and a light belly with few r n black spts. Similar species: Nne in Mntana. Habitat and Habits: Little is knwn f Milk Snakes in Mntana because nly a few have been reprted. In Wyming and elsewhere they are usually fund near cliffs, talus, utcrps, and rcky hillsides in frested and pen cuntry. They can be fund in r under rtten lgs. Milk Snakes are secretive and mst active at night. They eat a variety f vertebrates, including ther snakes, lizards, eggs, small mammals, and smetimes invertebrates such as earthwrms and insects. Eggs are laid in mid-summer. Milk Snakes smetimes vibrate their tails when disturbed. Their name stems frm an ld tale alleging that these snakes milk cws. Surveying: Timed-sight sur\'eys may be cnducted arund cliff bases and utcrps; turning ver rcks in these areas may be very effective in May and early June (L. Vitt, pers. cmm.). Mst distributinal infrmatin will likely cme frm recrding incidental sightings.. Mre intensive research may be dne using funnel traps in cmbinatin with drift fences. The mst intensive research and sur\'ey prjects may use mark-recapture r radi-telemetry techniques. Status: Milk Snakes are very rare and lcal in Mntana. There are n recrds frm the Helena Natinal Frest, but there are recrds frm the Three Frks area t the suth (Reichel and Flath 1995). The mst likely places t find this species wuld be in rcky canyns n the suth ends f the Big Belt and Elkhm Muntains. The subspecies fund in Mntana is highly sught fr the pet trade. All recrds f Milk Snakes shuld be fully dcumented; f particular interest wuld be dcumentatin f denning sites. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S2. A Species f Special Cncern. 36

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Gpher Snake {PiUwphis catenifer f^dielanleucusj) Descriptin: Mntana's largest snake, the adult Gpher Snake (als called Bullsnake r Pine Snake) can reach a ttal length f 7 feet, but mst specimens seen in western Mntana range between 3-5 feet. It is readily recgnized by a series f large black t brwn bltches which run dwn the back, and anther series alng the sides. The bltches, which are set n a yellw backgrund, becme mre widely spaced and darker twards the tail. The drsal scales are keeled. There is usually a black band n the head lcated in frnt f and extending belw the eyes. The ventral clratin is yellw t white, ften sptted with black, and the anal plate is undivided. Eggs and Yung: Gpher Snakes lay bet\\'een 2-24 eggs during the summer mnths (Hammersn 1982a), and the yung resemble the adults in clratin. Similar species: Yung Racers have a black brder n dark bltches and the scales are nt keeled. Yung Western Hgnse Snakes have an upturned nse. Western Rattlesnakes have a rattle n their tail and triangular shaped heads. Habitat and Habits: Gpher Snakes are assciated with dry, arid habitats including grassland, slirub-steppe, and pen pine frest. They feed n rdents, rabbits and grund dwelling birds, and t a lesser extent n frgs, tads, etc., fund arund stck pnds and ther wetlands. They have a habit f hissing and vibrating the tail when alarmed, ften sunding like rattlesnakes. Surveying: They ccasinally climb trees, hence the cmmn name "Pine Snake." Walk-thrugh surveys, dne n a regular basis in warm, sunny weather prbably give the best results withut resrting t trapping techniques. near dens in the spring and fall. fund by night driving during the mid-summer. They are mst easily fund Funnel trapping is effective and they may ccasinally be Data can be enhanced by mark-recapture techniques. Status: The Gpher Snake was nt seen in this survey nr are there histric recrds frm the HNF. Hwever they are knwn frm lwer elevatin areas n the plains adjacent t the frest, and were reprted within V* mile f the frest bundary by A. Harper and S. Hendricksn (pers. cmm.) in the western Big Belt Muntains. They almst certainly ccur n the HNF at lw t mid-elevatins; any sightings shuld be dcumented. Of particular interest wuld be dcumentatin f any denning sites lcated. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S5. 38

Western Rattlesnake {Crtalus viridis) Descriptin: Rattlesnakes have a heat-sensing pit lcated between the nstril and the eye. The fangs are hllw and hinged, allwing them t be flded back against the rf f the muth. The head is triangular in shape and blunt-nsed. The eyes are slightly elevated. There are several white lines which run alng the side f the head. Adult Western Rattlesnakes have a narrw neck but a stut bdy with ttal length ranging frm 15-60 inches. The drsal backgrund clr varies frm pale green t brwn with a series f brwn r black bltches edged with a dark and then light line extending the length f the bdy. The bltches ften merge int rings n the tail. There are als bltches n the sides f the bdy. The ventral side is pale yellw t white and withut bltches. The scales are keeled. The tail ends in a rattle which helps t warn ptential predatrs f the snake's presence. The yung have the same clr pattern, but are brighter in clr than adults. N ther snake in Mntana has rattles, but see Racer, Gpher Snake and Similar species: Western Hgnse Snake which may have similar clr patterns. Habitat and Habits: The Western Rattlesnake is an inhabitant f mre pen and arid cuntry but it is als fund in Pndersa pine stands r mixed grass-cniferus frests. t be encuntered n suth-facing slpes and areas f rck utcrps. needlessly killed due t its pisnus bite. It is mre likely It is feared and ften Rattlesnakes may den in large numbers, mving up t 7 miles ut frm the dens during the summer (Petersn, pers. cmm.); den sites are mst cmmn in suth-facing talus slpes. In Wyming, it is fund up t elevatins f ver 8500 feet (Baxter and Stne 1985). Rattlesnakes prey n a variety f animals including mice, grund squirrels, rabbits, amphibians, and ther snakes. In Clrad, females give birth t 4-21 yung during the summer (Hammersn 1982a). Surveying: A walk-thrugh survey n a warm sunny day is prbably the best methd fr Status: determining presence/absence; it is easiest t find near den sites in spring and fall. Funnel traps and night driving are bth effective techniques. t determine mre precise numbers. Mark-recapture methds can be used The Western Rattlesnake was nt been fund in the HNF but is knwn frm lwer elevatin areas t the nrth, suth, east and the valleys between the muntain ranges. wuld mst likely be encuntered at lwer elevatins in pen habitats. It The habit f denning at traditinal sites in large numbers makes rattlesnakes vulnerable t cmmercial cllecting r simply killing by fearfial peple. Observatins f Western Rattlesnakes shuld be reprted t dcument the presence f this species n the HNF; f particular interest wuld be dcumentatin f any denning sites lcated. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram Rank: G5 S4. 40

Reginal Infrmatin Rcky Muntain chain: range f the HNF in the Lincln District. areas t the west and nrth. The Tailed frg was nly reprted frm the main Rcky Muntain It appears t be mre lcalized n the HNF than in It is nt knwn n the HNF t the suth f the Blackft River. Electr-shcking fish surveys shuld be used t determine hw widespread this species is; all incidental bservatins shuld be recrded. Other species fund during sur\'eys, r fr which histric lcatins are knwn, n the Rcky Muntains f the HNF include the: Lng-ted Salamander, Western Tad, Sptted Frg, Racer, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, and Cmmn Garter Snake. All f these species are als present in the Elklim and/r the Big Belt Muntains. The Western Tad was nly fund breeding at tw lcatins n the frest; this may be a functin f the small amunt f sampling r the apparent decline in much f western Mntana. Bth breeding lcatins shuld be cnsidered fr mnitring t see if Western Tads cntinue t breed at them and are successfully reaching metamrphsis. Substantial ppulatins f the Sptted Frg were fund thrughut the range; it was mre cmmnly encuntered than any ther amphibian r reptile, thugh irnically it is ne f the tw C-2 Candidate species present n the HNF. A beaver pnd area n a tributary f Beaver Creek might be cnsidered fr lng-term mnitring f Sptted Frgs and Lng-ted Salamanders; it currently has very large ppulatins f bth species. Cncerned citizens might be willing t participate in lng-term surveys. The Racer was nt fund during ur surveys; the nly histric recrds fr the Rcky Muntains n the HNF are frm Davis (1963), which is a large-scale state map with dts which appear t fall n the Frest. Garter Snake appears t be the mst cmmn reptile n the frest. The Western Ten-estrial It is perhaps 2-5 times as cnmin as the Cmmn Garter Snake, which may be underging a decline in Mntana, Idah, and elsewhere. Given the lw numbers f lcatins fr any amphibians r reptiles n the PINF, all sightings f any species shuld be recrded. A pssible exceptin wuld be fr Sptted Frgs; hwever, breeding lcatins fund shuld be recrded even fr this species until mre are knwn and mapped. Of particular interest wuld be recrds f the fllwing species which have nt yet been recrded n the Frest: Western Chrus Frg. Plains Spadeft, Nrthern Lepard Frg, Painted Turtle, Rubber Ba, Gpher Snake, and Western Rattlesnake. All f these ptentially present species, except the Rubber Ba, are mst likely t be seen at lw elevatins in pen habitat. Additinally, the reprted sites fr Nrthern Lepard Frg and Western Chrus Frg near McDnald Pass shuld be revisited. Elkhrn Muntains: N species were restricted t the Elkhm Muntains. The Lng-ted Salamander is fund in the nrthv.estem part f the Elkhms, the farthest east reprted lcatin in its range. The Elklirns are the nly islated muntain range east f the Cntinental Divide where this species is fund. Given this unique situatin, the distributin shuld be carefully mapped. Other species fund during surv'eys, r fr which histric lcatins are knwn, in the Elklim Muntains n the HNF include the Sptted Frg and Cmmn Garter Snake. species are als present in the niain R.ck>' and/r the Big Belt Muntains. Bth f these Substantial 41

ppulatins f the Sptted Frg were fund thrughut the range; it was mre cmmnly encuntered than any ther amphibian r reptile, thugh irnically it is ne f the tw C-2 Candidate species present n the HNF. The Crrmin Garter Snake is knwn frm a single lcatin. The Western Tad was cllected alng Prickley Pear Creek in Jeffersn Cunty in 1951. \Vhether r nt this was lcated n the HNF is unknwn; it was nt lcated during ur surveys. Perhaps the best chance f finding the Milk Snake n the HNF ccurs in the sutheastern Elkhrns, given a knwn site t the suth near Tlaree Frks and its secretive habits. It seem dubtful that the Tailed Frg is fund in the Elklim Muntains given the intensity f surveys (A. Harper, pers. cmm.), and the surveyrs specifically watching fr the species, during the summer f 1995. Given the meager infrmatin available frm this range, and the Western Tad (knwn t be declining) recrded frm histric recrds but nt relcated, all sightings f amphibians and reptiles are f interest frm this range and shuld be recrded. Mre baseline distributin infnnatin, particularly fr species nt yet recrded and breeding sites fr knwn species, is necessary befre mnitring sites are chsen. Big Belt Muntains: The nly species reprted frm the Big Belt Muntains n the HNF were the Sptted Frg, Racer, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake. While Sptted Frgs appeared t be cmmn and widespread in this range, they did appear mre lcalized than in either the Elkhrns r main Rcky Muntains. The Racer was nt fund during ur surveys; the nly histric recrds fr the Rcky Muntains n the HNF are frm Davis (1963), which is a largescale state map with dts which appear t fall n the Frest. The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake was fund at tw lcatins and is prbably wide-spread in the range. The Western Tad was cllected histrically just east f the HNF in the Big Belts, but was nt lcated during ur sur\'eys. Perhaps the best chance f finding the Spiny Sftshell r Wdhuse's Tad n the HNF ccurs in the Missuri River; bth have questinable histric recrds there. Given the meager infrmatin available frm this range, and at least ne species knwn frm histric recrds but nt relcated, all sightings f amphibians (except perhaps Sptted Frgs) and reptiles are f interest and shuld be recrded. Even fr Sptted Frgs any breeding lcatins fund shuld be recrded. Such baseline distributin infrmatin is necessary befre mnitring sites are chsen. Dry Range: N herps are knwn frm this range; there are n histric specimen recrds and we did nt sur\'ey in the range in 1995. Given the ttal lack f infrmatin available frm this range, all sightings f amphibians and reptiles are f interest and shuld be recrded. distributin infrmatin is necessary befre mnitring sites are chsen. Baseline 42

RECOMMENDATIONS Surveys. Mnitring and Research 1) All incidental sightings f amphibians and reptiles frm the HNF shuld be recrded and frwarded t the Natural Heritage Prgram, which is the central depsitry fr amphibian survey and mnitring data frm Mntana in cperatin with the reginal Declining Amphibian Task Frce. Fr the Sptted Frg, nly breeding lcatins are necessary t recrd. A half-day training sessin fr bilgists (including seasnal emplyees) and ther interested field peple in May wuld raise awareness f this data need, and prvide the training required fr accurate identificatin f animals bserved. 2) Special effrts shuld be made t increase ur knwledge f the range and bilgy f thse species which are either uncmmn (Tailed Frg, Western Tad) r fr which n recrds exist within the Frest (Western Chrus Frg, Wdhuse's Tad, Plains Spadeft, Nrthern Lepard Frg, Painted Turtle, Spiny Sftshell, Shrt-hmed Lizard, Rubber Ba, Milk Snake, Gpher Snake, and Prairie Rattlesnake). One f the mst efficient ways f accmplishing these bjectives is t encurage individuals t fill ut incidental sighting reprts and submit them t the Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram fr entry int the species database. Certainly all Tailed Frgs (larvae and adults) fund during fisheries surveys shuld be recrded; this is the mst efficient way t get data n this species. 3) Due t the time cnstraints and the large area cvered in the 1995 survey, it shuld nt be regarded as a definitive index f all the herptiles r their distributin n the HNF. The secretive habits f many amphibians and reptiles, and ur lack f knwledge regarding their reprductive behavir makes it difficult t assess their verall status. We recmmend that additinal surveys be cnducted, cncentrating n: A) ptential Western Tad and Nrthern Lepard Frg breeding sites; B) lw-elevatin, xeric habitats (including wetlands within this matrix) fr reptiles and plains-dwelling amphibians; and C) gathering additinal distributin infrmatin frm the Big Belt, Elkhm and Dry ranges. 4) Begin a mnitring prgram, surs'eying the tw knwn Western Frg breeding sites, and the beaver pnd n a tributary f Beaver Creek where large numbers f Sptted Frgs and Lng-ted Salamanders breed. This shuld be a twice-yearly mnitring, nce in late spring t determine if breeding tk place and nce in mid-late summer t check if larva are successfully transfrming. Mnitring f Tailed Frgs culd be dne in cnjunctin with fish mnitring by electrshcking, when sites are mre well kn\mi. When mre breeding lcatins fr amphibians are knwn in the Elkhrns and Big Belts, lng-term mnitring f typical marsh-pnd habitats shuld be set up at several sites in rder t evaluate relative numbers and breeding success f the mre cmmn species: Lng-ted Salamander, Sptted Frg, Western Tad, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, and Cmmn Garter Snake. Particular attentin needs t be given t any Western Tad and Nrthern Lepard Frg breeding sites fund. 43

5) Life histry and eclgy f the amphibians in Mntana is prly knwn fr mst species. Lng-term mnitring will prvide infrmatin n timing f, and habitat requirements needed fr, successflil breeding. 6) We recmmend that any areas that are under cnsideratin fr mining, rad building, extensive lgging peratins, r ther large-scale habitat altering activities be surveyed thrughly fr amphibian presence and breeding activity. Particular attentin shuld be given dcumenting the presence f either Western Tads r Nrthern Lepard Frgs. This is particularly imprtant fr tads in higher elevatin areas where the ptential fr UV damage is greater. Management 1) With an increasing number f amphibian species declining fr varius reasns, it seems reasnable t pr-actively manage habitat t supprt them. While nt all ways f preserving these species are currently knwn, several management activities culd certainly negatively impact them. Withut adequate breeding areas, amphibians cannt survive, and the types f water used is ften species-specific. a) Fish stcking in currently fishless lakes and pnds in which amphibians breed shuld be carefully evaluated. Fish intrductins are thught t be a majr factr in frg declines in the Sierra Nevada Muntains and prbably elsewhere as well (Hayes and Jennings 1986). b) When "imprving" springs r seeps fr livestck, leave a prtin f the area suitable fr amphibian reprductin. This culd include a small fenced-ff area abve where water is diverted fr strage in a watering tank. c) Springs, seeps, and bth permanent and temprary pnds shuld be cnsidered when analyzing effects f land management activities such as grazing, lgging, and rad building. 2) A critical cmpnent f the life cycle in snakes is the wintering den. Many species hibernate in large aggregatins in traditinally-used sites. Often these hibemacula are used by several species, and mating fr many species takes place at the den site. Snakes then mve ut fr up t 7 miles fr the summer, returning in the fall. These sites are typically in areas where snakes can get well dwn int an area f fractured rck n suth-facing slpes, ften near cliffs r in talus. While these sites are rbust, rad building r mining may nnetheless destry them. Den sites shuld be prtected and data relating t their lcatins kept where successive bilgists have access t them. 44

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Cm, P. S. N Date. Cmment n the ccurrence f Pseudacris clarki in Mntana. Bull. Chi. Herp. Sc. 15(3):77-78. Cm, P. S. and J. C. Fgelman. 1984. Extinctin f mntane ppulatins f nrthern lepard frg {Rana pipiens) in Clrad. J. Herpetlgy 18:147-152. Cues, E., and H. C. Yarrw. 1 878. Ntes n the herpetlgy f Dakta and Mntana. Bull. U.S. Gel. and Gegr. Surv. 4:259-291. Craig, V. N date. The Axltl "Walking Fish." Mntana Outdrs? 2 pp. Daugherty, C. H. 1979. Ppulatin eclgy and genetics f Ascaphiis triiei n examinatin f gene flw and natural selectin. Ph.D. thesis. University f Mntana, Missula. 143 pp. Daugherty, C. H, Mntana ppulatin f the tailed frg (Ascaphns truei). Herpetlgica 38:461-468. and A. L. Sheldn.. 1982. Age determinatin, grwth, and life histry f a Daugherty, C. H., and A. L. Sheldn. 1982. Age specific mvement patterns f the frg Ascaphus truei. Herpetlgica 38:468-474. Davis, C. V. and S. E. Weeks. 1963. Mntana Snakes. Mntana Dept. f Fish and Game, Helena, MT, pp. 1-10. Dean, J. N., J. L. Glenn, and R. C. Straight. 1980. Bilateral cleft labial and palate in the prgeny f a CROTALUS VIRIDIS VIRIDIS Rafmesque. Herp Review 1 1(4):91-92. Dnaldsn, L. R. 1934. The ccurrence f ASCAPHUS TRUEI east f the Cntinental Divide. CpeiaN4. pp. 184. Ernst, C. H. 1971. CHRYSEMYS PICTA. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 106.1-106.4. Ernst, C. H. 1989. THAMNOPHIS RADIX HAYDENII. Herp Review 20(3):76. Ernst, C. H., J. E. Lvich, and R. W. Barbur. 1994. Turtles f the United States and Canada. Smithsnian Institutin Press, Washingtn, D.C. 578 pp. Fergusn, D. E. 1961. the gegraphic variatin f AMBYSTOMA MACRODACTYLUM Baird, with descriptin f tw new subspecies. Amer. Midland Nat. 65:31 1-338. Fergusn, D. E. 1963. AMBYSTOMA MACRODACTYLUM. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 4.1-4.2 Finch, D. M. 1992. Threatened, endangered, and vulnerable species f terrestrial vertebrates in the Rcky Muntain Regin. USES General Teclinical Rep. RK^-215. 38 pp. 1940. A bigegraphical study f the ORDrNOIDES artenkries f garter snakes Fitch, H. S. (genus THAMNOPHIS). Univ. Calif. Publ. Zl. 44:1-149. Fitch, H. S. 1980. THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 270.1-270.4. Fitch, H. S. 1983. THAMNOPHIS ELEGANS. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 320.1-320.4. Fitch, H. S. and T. P. Maslin. 1961. Occurrence f the garter snake, THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS, in the Great Plains and Rcky Muntains. University f Kansas Publicatins, Museum f Natural Histry 13(5):289-308. Flath, D. L. 1984. Vertebrate species f special interest r cncern: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes. Wildlife Divisin, Mntana Department f Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. 76 pp. Fx, W. 1951. Relatinships amng the garter snakes f the THAMNOPHIS ELEGANS rassenkreis. Univ. Califmia Publ. Zl. 50(5):485-530. Franz, R. 1970. Additinal ntes n the Ceur D'Alene Salamander, Plethdn vandykei idahensis, in Mntana. Bull. MD Herpetlgy Sc. 6:53-55. Franz, R. 1970. Egg develpment f the tailed ixg under natural cnditins. MD Herpetlgy 47

Sc. 6:27-30. Franz, R. 1970. Fd f larval tailed frgs. MD Herpetlgy Sc. 6:49-51. Franz, R. 1971. Ntes n the distributin and eclgy f the herpetfauna f nrthwestern Mntana. Bull. Maryland Herp. Sc. 7:1-10. Franz, R. and D. S. Lee. 1970. The eclgical and bigegraphical distributin f the tailed frg, Ascaphus truei, in the Flathead River drainage f nrthwestern Mntana. Bull MD Herp. Sc. 6:62-73. Gehlbach, F. R. 1967. AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 52.1-52.4. Gehlbach, F. R. 1966. Types and type-lcalities f sme taxa in the synnymy f AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM (Green). CpeiaN 4. pp 881-882. Genter, D. L. 1984. CROTALUS VIRIDIS. 1984. Herp Review 15(2):49-50. Genter, D. 1990. The Ceiu: d'alene Salamander, Mntana's cliff-hanger. Mntana Outdrs 21(5):15-17. Genter, D. L., A. Wilsn, and E. Simn. 1987. Status reprt n Ceur d'alene salamander in Mntana. Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram, Helena. 101 pp. Genter, D. L., Wilsn, A. G. and E. M. Simn. 1988. Supplementary reprt n the status f the Ceur d'alene salamander {Plethdn vandykei idahensis) in Mntana. Unpublished reprt t USDA Frest Service by Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram, Helena. 39 pp. including maps. Gibbns, J. W., S. S. Nvak and C. H. Ernst. 1988. CHELYDRA SERPENTINA. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 420.1-420.4. Green, D. M., C. H. Daugherty, and J. P. Bgart. 1980. Karylgy and systematic relatinships f the tailed frg Ascaphus truei. Herpetlgica 36(4):346-352. Grves, C. 1994. Idah's amphibians and reptiles, 2nd editin. Idah Dept. Fish and Game, Nngame Wildlife leaflet 7. 12 pp. Grves, C. R. and C. Petersn. 1992. Distributin and ppulatin trends f Idah amphibians as determined by mail questinnaire. Unpubl. Rep. Idah Dept Fish Game, Bise, Idah. 16 pp. Hahn, D. E. 1968. A bigegraphic analysis f the herpetfauna f the San Luis Valley, Clrad. M.S. thesis, Univ. Cl., Bulder. 103 pp. Halliday, T., and K. Adler. 1991. Encyclpedia f reptiles and amphibians. Facts n File, New Yrk. 143 pp. Hammersn, G. A. 1982a. Amphibians and reptiles in Clrad. Clrad Divisin f Wildlife, Denver, vii + 131 pp. Hammersn, G. A. 1982b. Bullfrg eliminating lepard frgs in Clrad? Herpetlgical Rev. 13:115-116. Hayes, M. P., and M. R. Jennings. 1986. Decline f ranid frg species in Nrth America: are bullfrgs (Rana catesbeiana) respnsible? J. Herpetlgy 20:490-509. Haynes, C. M. and S. D. Aird. 1981. The distributin and habitat requirements f the wd frg (Ranidae: Rana sylvatica LeCnte) in Clrad. Cl. Div. Wildl., Wildl. Res. Sectin Spec. Repit 50. 29 pp. Hebard, W. B. and R. B. Brunsn. 1963. Hind limb anmalies f a western Mntana ppulatin f the pacific tree frg, HYLA REGILLA. Cpeia, N. 3, pg. 570-571. Hendricks, P. (in prep.). Amphibian and reptile sur>-ey n the Bitterrt Natinal Frest. 48

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APPENDIX 1. DATA SHEETS USED FOR AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE SURVEYS AND OBSERVATIONS 54

5 '3 t u s 5 - l ^ u u -a 5 c O 3 K =9 It (4-. 4J U -I s. P CO <.5 s c «T3 Is.t; w -3.5 3 -a S E 2 g. ^ 3 3 CT". a ^ i3 vi2 cq 3. S ^ a.3 14/

AMPHIBIAN SURVEY DATA SHEET - us BSHI wildlife service. 4B 12 McMURRYAVE.Fr. COLUNS.CO bb J6-3«00 (drd«ch04c«fr»h*d«d variabl«a; supply v*jue lt th«n) (vr. 2/7/92) DATE BEGIN TIME END TIME OBSERVERS LOCAUTY STATE COUNTY MAP NAME OWNER ELEVATION (circle tcaje) M FT SECTION DESCRIPTION UTM ZONE NORTHING (Of LAT) EASTING (M LOfJl AMPHIBIAN AND/OR GARTER SNAKE SPEOES PRESENT (INDICATE NUMBERS IN CATEGORIES IF POSSIBLE) CmCL METHOD AND 1^CMCATE tp VOUCHER SPEOMBJ WAS COUJECTED SPECIES ADULTS/JUVENILES CALUNG? TADPOLES/LARVAE EGG MASSES METHOD: VISUAL^AURAL ID DIP NET/SEINE HAND COLLECTED TRAPPED VOUCHER COLLECTED? YES NO VISUAUAUFIAL ID DIP NET/SBNE HAND COLLECTED TRAPPED VOUCHER COLLECTED? YES NO VISUAL/AUFl&L ID DIP NET /SEINE HAND COLLECTED TRAPPED VOUCHER COLLECTED? YES NO VISUAUAURAL ID DIP NET/SEINE HAND COLLECTED TRA.-PED VOUCHER COLLECTED? YES NO VISUAUAURAL ID DIP NET/SEINE HAND COLLECTED TRAPPED VOUCHER COLLECTED? YES NO FISH PRESENT? YES?7? ENTIRE SITE SEARCHED? FISH SPECIES: IF NO. INDICATE AREA METERS OF SHOREUNE KP Of HABTTAT PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT (CHEMISTRY VARIABLES OPTIONAL - USE EXTFW. SPACES FOR ADDITIONAL MEASUREMENTS) WEATHER: CLEAR OVERCAST RAIN SNOW CALM UGHT STRONG AIRTEKff" Idrcl* icalfl) WATER TEMP (circle icttle) COLOR; CLEAR STAINED TURBIDITY: ajeah CLOUDY PH ANC SITE DESCFUPTIONS (SKETCH SITE AND PUT AIXMTIONAL COMMENTS ON BACK OF SHETH OMfT THIS SECTION IF DATA HAVE BEEN COLi CTED ON A PFIEVIOUS VISIT NATUFIAL MAN-MADE DRAINAGE; PERMANENT OCCASIONAL NONE DESCRIPTION; PERJAlkNENT LAKE/POND TEMPORARY LAKE/POND MARSH/BOG STREAM SPRING/SEEP ACTIVE BEAVER POND INACTIVE BEAVER POND SITE LENGTH (Ml SITE WIDTH (Ml MAXIMUM DEPTH: < 1 M 1-2 M > 2 M STREAM ORDER 5 + PRIKAARY SUBSTRATE: SILT/MUD SAND/GRAVEL COBBLE BOULDEF.'EEDROCK OTHER % OF POfJD LAKE laargin WITH EMERGENT VEGETATIOtJ: 1-25 25-50 > 50 EMERGENT VEGETATION SPECIES (UST l^' ORDER OF ABUNDANCE! NORTH SHOF UNE CHARACTERS; E:4ALL0WS PRESENT SHALLOWS AESEKT E'v?erg i;t veg PrUlSENT i?\gent ViG / SScNT DISTANCE (M) TO FOREST EDGE FOREST TREE SPECIES;

ROUGH SKETCH OF SITE

1 c O -3 c{/) t c. '^ a. a -2.E -c ra ^ -s 3 ^i ^ ^-2 i n ^-^ r3 ct e = 5 re > re bo C3 n ci. w ^ O E M " 73 -O C. GO '" Q.,0 Q. O - ra 1- _ ^ it:. u u E "^ P3 r- O ;r C O C -r t^ > C ii -a 3 ra u. H >- til re _n ra ^c^ I.2 s: '^ ;z O 2 re S ^ -a n ^". "S "^ t 1/3 C/3 u < O Z c PS ^ CI. n r3 a 5 S E.E '^ O..S <=^ a. _- ci. re n c - re.^ CJ t.ii P -^ -= -O 'H 3 ^.- re He-re > re ^ n I =-?^ i = =. c O.2 C3 -- O CT ^ ^ E E. 3 O n,._ 2 S - cj u ^ "O n "O en re 1= >» ~ c t> re n ~ -a O 3 S = _a -^ '-f^ Z ^ rt: ^" T3. -' E = re -^ ^^ E g H "^ " re ^ ut C/5 in «g & r: 2 -^ 1- t 3 U u^ c X c '5 E n C t «t "C u- re O C/0 >

:^ > O c 3 3 O a. a- Si 03 Ocr

Natural Heritage Rare Animal Species Reprting Frm This frm is used t reprt a persnal field sighting f a rare species tracked by the Mntana Natural Heritage ^fcrgram. It may als be used t summarize lcatinal infrmatin frm a published r unpublished reprt. Animal ^^pecies tracked include thse n the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Threatened, Endangered r Candidate Lists, the U.S. Frest Service Sensitive List, the Mntana Department f Fish, Wildlife and Parks Species f Special Interest r Cncern List, and the Heritage Prgram Animal Species f Special Cncern List. The Heritage Prgram can prvide a cpy f the list upn request. Fr mst bird species, nly reprts f cnfirmed breeding are requested. In rder fr this frm t be prcessed, the sectins preceded by tw asterisks (**) must be cmpleted. Send cmpleted frm t: Mntana Natural Heritage Prgram, 1515 E 6th Ave., PO Bx 201800, Helena MT 59620. Scientific Name **Cmmn Name Lcatin: Lcatin Map: A mapped lcatin f the ccurrence shuld accmpany this frm. The ideal frmat is t lcate the site n a phtcpied sectin f a USGS 7.5 minute tp map; Frest Service, BLM, r ther maps may be used. Be sure t prvide the name f the map. Cunty: Twnship: Range: Sectin: 'Directins t Site: Describe in detail hw t get t the site frm a readily lcated permanent landmark such as a rad intersectin. tilgy/habitat *Date and Apprximate Time f the Observatin: *Niimber f Individuals Observed: D 1-5 5-10 D 11-50 D 51-100 D 101-1000 Q > 1000 If pssible, prvide the exact number f individuals: Life Stages Present: Check ff the life stages bserved r prvide an estimate f the numbers f individuals fr each Hfe stage: eggs larvae immature adult female adult male adult, sex unknwn Cmments: Additinal Status Infrmatin: What else was bserved? Prvide infrmatin n the behavir f the species particularly that which culd indicate r cnfirm breeding at the site. Fr birds this culd include singing males, carrying nest material/fd, dependant yung bserved, entry f adults int pssible nesting cavity, etc. Assciated Species: List any asr-ciated species such as predatrs, prey, fd plants, hst species, r additinal rare ""tecies bserved at the site. *= Required Fiald

Habitat Data: Describe the general area where the ccurrence is lcated. List cmmunity types, dminant vegetatin, and infrmatin n the physical envirnment such as substrate type, hydrlgy, misture regime, slpe, elevatin, and aspect. Als, if pssible, prvide infrmatin n the surrunding land use and extent f additinal kitable habitat. Weather Cnditins: n clear D vercast D calm O vnndy Describe temperature, precipitatin, and ther significant weather factrs: Cnservatin: Are there any natural r human threats t this ccurrence? Please describe. Ownership: If knwn, please prvide landwner name, address and telephne number. Jnfrmatin Surce: Jame, Address, and Telephne Number (f persn filing reprt) 'Des this infrmatin cme frm a field visit, D a 2nd party bservatin, r a published r unpublished reprt? Citatin: Fr infrmatin taken frm a published r unpublished reprt, please prvide a cpy f the cver page and pertinent prtins f the reprt. If a cpy cannt be prvided, list belw the authr, date, title, publisher, and page numbers. Vucher: Was the bservatin vuchered with n a phtgraph? Q a specimen? If pssible, attach a cpy f the phtgraph. If specimen vucher, please prvide the cllectin # and name f the repsitry: Identificatin: Hw was the species identificatin made? Was it based n a sighting, track, call, scat, rad kill, Name the identificatin manual(s) used r expert(s) cnsulted. Were there identificatin prblems? etc.? Cnfirmatin: Wuld yu accmpany a bilgist t the site if needed? Q yes D n additinal Cmments: (use additinal sheets if needed) Required Field

APPENDIX 2. SITES SURVEYED DURING 1995 AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE SURVEYS ON THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST 60

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APPENDIX 3. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OBSERVED DURING SURVEYS OF THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST IN 1995

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APPENDIX 4. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES REPORTED FROM IN AND AROUND THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST 66

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpelile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type LONG-TOED SALAMANDER Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 4/28/1962 N Museum Specimen 2 mi. S. f East Helena n branch McClellen Creek Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 4/28/1962 N Museum Specimen S. f East Helena n Al Palmer Ranch Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 4/28/1962 Yes Museum Specimen 2 mi. s. f East Helena n branch McClellen Creek Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 8/25/1959 N Museum Specimen Hrse trugh ff McClellen Creek Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 7/ /1 972 N Museum Specimen Near Clancy Jeffersn <.5 mile. 5/15/1995 Yes Observatin Mill Creek headwaters Jeffersn <.5 mile. 5/15/1995 Yes Observatin Upper Willard Creek Jeffersn <.5 mile. 5/20/1995 Yes Observatin Old beaver pnd in upper Crral Gulch. Jeffersn <.5mile. 5/20/1995 Yes Observatin Large pnd just belw Park Lake Jeffersn <.5 mile. 9/6/1995 Yes Observatin Cliff Lake, Red Rck Drainage Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 7/13/1983 N Museum Specimen Upper Grizzly Gulch Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/20/1995 Yes Observatin Old beaver pnd n tributary f Beaver Creek Lev/is & Clark <.5 mile. 5/24/1995 Yes Observatin Middle Cpper Creek drainage in pnd. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/25/1995 Yes Obser\'atin Pnd N. f Heart Lake Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Pnds en Austin Creek 67

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type LONG-TOED SALAMANDER (cminued) Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Observatin Beaver pnds, Meadw Creek Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Observatin Dg Creek beaver pnds Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 9/28/1995 N Observatin Marysville Pwell <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Lilly Lake Pwell <.5mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Mine shaft pnd Pwell <.5mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Observatin Bryan Creek Beaver Pnd Pwell <.5mile. 8/23/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Small pnd ff BLM rad, Garnet Muntains Pwell <.5mile. 8/24/1995 Yes Observatin Lwer Chamberlain Meadws ca. 3/4 dwn, Garnet Muntains Pwell <.5mile. 8/25/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Old xbw at Blackft River, 1 mi. SW f Blackft Canyn Campgrund TAILED FROG Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil / /I966 N Observatin Tributary f Cpper Creek, tributary f the Blackft River Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/5/1994 Yes Museum Specimen Falls Creek, crssing dwn t falls. WESTERN TOAD Bradwater > 10 miles. / /I966 Yes Observatin Near Canyn Ferry Reser\'ir, small spring in pen pndersa pine. Cascade.5 t 5 mil / / N Museum Specimen Little Belt r.icuntains, 1.2 n-.iles N. (Hwy 9) f Kings Hill Pass, 7200 "t. 68

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type WESTERN TOAD (cntinued) Cascade.5 t 5 mil / /1 966 N Observatin Kings Hill, 7000 ft. Granite.5 t 5 mil 7/1 1/1977 Yes Museum Specimen Vi mi W f Bearmuth, rest area ff 1-90. Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 8/7/1951 N Museum Specimen Prickly Pear Creek Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Dg Creek beaver pnds Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 5/25/1995 N Observatin McDnald Pass area Meagher > 10 miles. 8/4/1899 N Museum Specimen Deep Creek Canyn, Big Belt Muntains Meagher > 10 miles. 8/23/1919 N Museum Specimen Frt Lgan, Camas Creek (4 mi S). Meagher.5 t 5 mil 8/20/1951 N Museum Specimen Sheep Creek near Jumping Creek Campgrunds Meagher.5 t 5 mil 8/24/1951 Yes Museum Specimen Adams Ranch, Sheep Creek Meagher.5 t 5 mil 8/ 6/1958 N Museum Specimen Lake Creek Meagher <.5 mile. 6/26/1995 N Observatin Beaver pnds n Daniels Creek Pwell <.5mile. 8/25/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Old xbw at Blackft River, 1 mi. SW f Blackft Canyn Campgrund Pwell.5 t 5 mil 7/9/1995 N Obser\'atin 30 mi. NW f Lincln, Cpers Lake WOODHOUSE'S TOAD Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil II 9/1948 N Museum Specimen Muth f Trut Creek, Mirscuri Ri\ >;r 69

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpelile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type WESTERN CHORUS FROG Cascade 5 t 10 mil 6/ 7/1993 N Observatin Chestnut Valley Sand hills Jeffersn <.5 mile. 8/20/1995 Yes Observatin Jeffersn Creek, Elkhm Mtns. In Cw Pnd. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/21/1995 N Observatin Ca. 17 mi. S. f Augusta, n Wrangle Creek Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 5/25/1995 N Observatin McDnald Pass area PLALNS SPADEFOOT Cascade.5 t 5 mil 8/31/1948 N Museum Specimen 3 mi. S. f Cascade, Missuri River Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 6/ /1988 N Observatin Dave Center's huse. NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG Bradwater <.5 mile. 5/10/1993 N Observatin Deepdale FAS. Directly E. acrss channel frm Deepdale BE nest Bradwater.5 t 5 mil 8/13/1899 Yes Museum Specimen Twnsend Cascade.5 t 5 mil 8/31/1948 N Museum Specimen 3 mi. S. f Cascade, Missuri River Cascade.5 t 5 mil 8/12/1954 N Museum Specimen Spanish Culee Granite.5 t 5 mil 7/27/1961 N Museum Specimen Lake Albacaulis Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/ /1993 N Observatin very small riparian pnds alng Dearbrn River Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 8/1 1/1948 N Museum Specimen Wlf Creek 70

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type SPOTTED FROG (cntinued) Jeffersn <.5 mile. 9/6/1995 N Observatin Cliff Lake, Red Rck Drainage Judith Basin.5 t 5 mil 8/8/1944 N Museum Specimen 12 miles S. f Neihart Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil / /1 966 N Obser\'atin 2.3 miles W. f Flasher Pass tributary f Blackft River Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 9/3/1994 N Observatin Prickley Pear Creek just W. f Stansfield Lake. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/27/1975 N Observatin Pnd, ca. 400 m frm the main stack f East Helena Smelter. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/27/1975 N Observatin Ca. 1.6 km SSE frm the East Helena Smelter in springs Lewis & Clark <.5mile. 7/27/1975 N Obser\'atin McClellan Creek Quarr>' Lake Lewis & Clark <.5mile. 5/22/1994 N Museum Specimen 7-Up Pete Prpsed Gld Mine area n HWY 200, ca. 10 mi. E. f Lincln. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/20/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Old beaver pnd n tributary f Beaver Creek Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/20/1995 Yes Observatin Pnd 0.5 mi. w. f Chessman Reservir. Lewis & Clark <.5mile. 5/24/1995 N Obser\'atin Cpper Creek beaver pnd near campgrunds. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/24/1995 N Observatin Middle Cpper Creek drainage in pnd. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/25/1995 Yes Obser\'atin PndN. f Heart Lake Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Observatin Pnds n Austin Creek Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/24/1995 N Observatin Cpper Creek 73

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type SPOTTED FROG (cntinued) Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 8/31/1995 Yes Observatin Prman Creek, befre rad leaves creek Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 8/31/1995 N Observatin Upper Blackft River marshes Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Obser\'atin Beaver pnds, Meadw Creek Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Observatin Dg Creek beaver pnds Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 6/27/1995 N Obser\'atin S. f Park Lake Meagher.5 t 5 mil 6/ 1/1978 N Museum Specimen Dry Frk f Musselshell River Meagher <.5 mile. 5/29/1994 Yes Museum Specimen Crater Lake and pnds abve, 5880 ft. Meagher <.5mile. 7/8/1994 N Obser\'atin W. frk Checkerbard Creek, Castle Muntains, 6200 ft. Meagher <.5 mile. 7/9/1994 N Observatin Onin Park, Little Belt Muntains, als sec. 5. Meagher.5 t 5 mil 8/6/1958 N Museum Specimen Lake Creek Meagher.5 t 5 mil 5/13/1950 N Museum Specimen Near Ringling Ht Well Meagher <.5 mile. 6/26/1995 N Observatin Irrigatin ditch belw Wlsey Creek n Sheep Creek Meagher <.5 mile. 8/3/1995 N Observatin N. Frk Eagle Creek Meagher <.5 mile. 8/15/1995 N Observatin E. Frk Grasshpper Creek Meagher <.5 mile. 8/30/1995 N Obser\'atin Grasshpper Creek 74

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type SPOTTED FROG (cntinued) Pwell.5 t 5 mil 7/21/1891 N Museum Specimen Ellistn, near Little Blackft River Pwell.5 t 5 mil 7/22/1891 N Museum Specimen Deer Ldge, Cttnwd Creek Pwell.5 t 5 mil / / N Museum Specimen Ovand, N. f Camp Lake Pwell.5 t 5 mil / / N Museum Specimen Brwns Lake Pwell <.5mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Lilly Lake Pwell <.5mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Observatin Beaver pnd, Little Blackft Pwell <.5 mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Mine shaft pnd Pwell <.5mile. 7/11/1995 N Observatin Mine shaft pnd Pwell <.5mile. 7/11/1995 Yes Observatin Bryan Creek Beaver Pnd Pwell <.5mile. 7/11/1995 N Observatin Little Blackft River Beaver Dam Pwell <.5mile. 8/23/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Small pnd ff BLM rad, Garnet Muntains Pwell <.5mile. 8/24/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Lwer Chamberlain Meadws ca. 3/4 dwn, Garnet Muntains Pwell <.5mile. 8/31/1995 N Observatin Pnd ff rad, Sucker Creek Pwell <.5 mile. 8/22/1995 N Observatin Cttnwd Meadw, Garnet Muntains Pv/ell <.5mile. 8/22/1995 N Observatin Suth side Old Balcv ' ''' ' Game! Muntains 75

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/2 1 /1 996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunt>' Precisin Date Breed Data Type SPOTTED FROG (cntinued) Pwell <.5mile. 8/31/1995 N Obser^'atin Pnd ff rad, Sucker Creek Pwell <.5 mile. 8/25/1995 Yes Museum Specimen Old xbw at Blackft River, 1 mi. SW f Blackft Canyn Campgrund PAINTED TURTLE Bradwater <.5 mile. 5/ /1993 N Observatin Canyn Ferry WMA east side. Bradwater 5 t 10 mil / / N Specimen Reprted See map in Black 1970 Bradwater <.5 mile. 5/9/1995 N Observatin Deepdale fishing access Granite.5 t 5 mil 6/ /1995 Yes Observatin In pnd by rest area alng 1-90 near Bearmuth. Jeffersn <.5 mile. 7/26/1995 N Observatin Prickly Pear Rad Lewis & Clark <.5mile. / /1994 Yes Observatin Spring Meadw Lake Pwell.5 t 5 mil 9/7/1994 N Observatin Lahrity Lake in Ovand Valley Pwell.5 t 5 mil 9/8/1994 N Observatin Evans Lake Pwell 5 t 10 mil / / N Specimen Reprted See map in Black 1970 SPINY SOFTSHELL Bradwater 5 t 10 mil / / N Specimen Reprted Canyn Ferry Reservir 76

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type RUBBER BOA Bradwater 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Bradwater.5 t 5 mil 9/ /1957 N Museum Specimen Near Tstn Gallatin.5 t 5 mil 8/1 1/1959 N Museum Specimen Middle Frk 16 Mile Creek Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 3/ /1949 N Museum Specimen Wrth Ranch, Canyn Creek Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil / /1 994 N Observatin Grizzly Gulch SSW f Helena RACER Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1 963 Lewis & Clark 5 t 1 mil / / N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 5/20/1995 N Museum Specimen 1.5 mi. ESE f Sieben Ranch

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type GOPHER SNAKE Bradwater <.5mile. 5/21/1994 N Observatin Hwy. 12 between Helena and Twnsend Bradwater <.5 mile. 8/30/1995 N Observatin Whites Creek Cascade 5 t 10 mil 7/6/1993 N Observatin Chestnut Valley Sandhills Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 10/15/1982 N Museum Specimen Junctin Sheep and Little Prickly Pear Creeks Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 5/24/1941 N Museum Specimen Wlf Creek Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 7/28/1951 N Museum Specimen Prickly Pear Creek WESTERN TERRESTRIAL GARTER Bradwater.5 t 5 mil 9/ /1 962 N Museum Specimen W. f Winstn Bradwater <.5 mile. 7/12/1995 N Observatin Lake ff f Springs Gulch, Big Belt Muntains Bradwater <.5 mile. 5/29/1995 N Observatin Deepdale Fishing Access Site Bradwater <.5 mile. 7/12/1995 N Observatin FS RD 359 alng Avalanche Creek benveen McGregr and Spilling Gulch Bradwater <.5 mile. 10/15/1995 N Museum Specimen Indian Rad Recreatin Area, just N f Twnsend Gallatin 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Granite 5 t 10 mil 10/31/1944 N Museum Specimen Rck Creek Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 7/30/1951 N Museum Specimen Prickly Pear Creek

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetiie) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type WESTERN TERRESTRIAL GARTER (cntinued) Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 7/30/1951 N Museum Specimen Prickley Pear Jeffersn.5 t 5 mil 4/28/1962 N Museum Specimen S. f East Helena n Al Palmer Ranch Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 7/20/1891 N Museum Specimen 12 miles E f Helena n McClellen Creek Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/27/1975 N Observatin Pnd, ca. 400 m frm the main stack f East Helena Smelter. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/27/1975 N Observatin Where Prickly Pear Creek flws alng slag pile at East Helena Smelter. Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/27/1975 N Observatin McClellan Creek Quarry Lake Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 6/30/1949 N Museum Specimen Prickly Pear Creek Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 9/10/1951 N Museum Specimen Prickley Pear Creek Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 9/10/1951 N Museum Specimen Prickley Pear Creek Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 8/ /1 994 Yes Observatin Little Prickly Pear Creek N. f Helena Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 7/5/1995 N Observatin Helena Lewis & Clark <.5 mile. 8/20/1995 N Observatin Falls Creek Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 5/25/1995 N Observatin McDnald Pass area Madisn.5 t 5 mil / /1 994 N Obser\'atin Little Blackft River W. f A\'n 79

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1 996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed Data Type WESTERN TERRESTRIAL GARTER (cntinued) Meagher 5 t 10 mil S/22/1919 N Museum Specimen Frt Lgan, Camas Creek, (4 mi S) Meagher <.5 mile. 8/30/1995 N Observatin Grasshpper Creek Pwell > 10 miles. 7/31/1967 N Museum Specimen Nrth Frk f the Blackft River Pwell > 10 miles. 7/3/1973 N Museum Specimen Nrth Frk f the Blackft River Pwell <.5 mile. 6/ /1950 N Specimen Reprted Cttnwd Creek Pwell.5 t 5 mil 6/6/1950 N Museum Specimen 0.5 mi. abve muth f Cttnwd Creek Pwell <.5mile. 8/31/1995 N Observatin Rad past Stemple Pass COMMON GARTER SNAKE Bradwater <.5 mile. 9/25/1995 N Observatin Eureka Creek Cascade.5 t 5 mil 9/6/1994 N Observatin Schrammeck Lake Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil // N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark 5 t 10 mil 7/30/1951 N Museum Specimen Prickly Pear Creek Pwell.5 t 5 mil / /1994 N Obser\'atin N. f Ovand Pwell <.5mile. 8/3/1995 N Obsen'atin Ontari Creek 80

Natural Heritage Prgram 03/21/1996 Mntana Animal Atlas (Herpetile) Species Reprt Cunty Precisin Date Breed DataTjpe WESTERN RATTLESNAKE Cascade.5 t 5 mil / /1927 N Museum Specimen Cascade Gallatin 5 t 10 mil / / N Specimen Reprted See map in Davis 1963 Lewis & Clark.5 t 5 mil 7/28/1949 N Museum Specimen Wirth Ranch Lewis & Clark <.5mile. 8/ /1 995 N Observatin Melny Bruhn's huse 81

APPENDIX 5. NOTES ON HARLEQUIN SURVEYS AND EXAMINATION OF POTENTIAL NORTHERN BOG LEMMING HABITAT ON THE HELENA NATIONAL FOREST 82

Appendix 5. Ntes n harlequin surveys and examinatin f ptential nrthern bg lemming habitat n the Helena Natinal Frest. Nrthern Bg Lemmings. All sites surveyed fr amphibians and reptiles were als examined fr their ptential suitability as nrthern bg lemming {Synaptmys brealis) habitat. Nne examined seemed suitable. Particular attentin was given Indian Meadws, hwever n extensive mss mats were fund. There may be small pckets f suitable habitat within this large wetland cmplex which were missed, as nly abut 4 hurs were spent explring the area, and the water level was very high. Summaries f current knwledge f Mntana distributin and habitat is available (Reichel 1996, Reichel and Beckstrm 1994). Harlequin Ducks were surveyed n the Landers Frk f the Blackft River, Cpper Creek, and the East Frk f the Nrth Frk Blackft River (Table A5.1). Nne were fund n the Helena Natinal Frest,, hwever ne pair was lcated near Nrth Frk Falls, less than a mile belw HNF lands n the Ll NF. It seems likely that ducks will be fund t use the East Frk f the Nrth Frk n the HNF. It was surprising that n ducks were lcated n the Landers Frk given the apparently gd habitat and lack f disturbance n that stream. I wuld recmmend that 1-2 additinal surveys during pair seasn (1 May t 1 June) be dne befre a final cnclusin that ducks are nt currently present is reached. The sectin abve which we surveyed was nt accessible; high water made crssing the river impssible and cliffs n bth sides f the river made walking the river als impssible. It is unknwn at this time if the sectin abve is batable and may be surveyed that way. GiN'en the easy access t Cpper Creek and the amunt f the stream surveyed, it seems dubtful that this stream currently has harlequins present; I wuld nt recmmend resurveying it at this time withut unless either: 1) harlequins ducks are reprted in the Cpper Creek-Landers Frk drainage; r 2) majr land management activities are plamied in the drainage. Statewide Harlequin survey data is currently being summarized and will be available sn (Reichel and Center, in prep.), as will a Cnservatin Assessment and Strategy fr the U.S. Rcky Muntains (Cassirer et al., in review). 0J>

> 3

^Appendix 6. Heritage prgram species ranking definitins. Taxa are evaluated and ranked by the Heritage Prgram n the basis f their glbal (range-wide) status, and their state-wide status. These ranks are used t determine prtectin and data cllectin pririties, and are revised as new infrmatin becmes available. A scale f 1 (critically imperiled) t 5 (demnstrably secure) is used fr these ranks, and each species is assigned the apprpriate cmbinatin f glbal and state ranks. Example: restricted range). cmmn ln = G5 / S3 (i.e., species is demnstrably secure glbally; in Mntana is fund within a Glbal and state ranks are assigned accrding t a standardized prcedure used by all Natural Heritage Prgrams, and are defined belw. Glbal/state Rank Definitin (G = Range-wide; S = Mntana) Gl SI Critically imperiled because f extreme rarity {5 r fewer ccurrences, r very few remaining individuals), r because f sme factr f its bilgy making it especially vulnerable t extinctin. G2 S2 Imperiled because f rarity (6 t 20 ccurrences), r because f ther I factrs demnstrably making it very vulnerable t extinctin thrughut its range. 03 S3 Either very rare and lcal thrughut its range, r fund lcally {even abundantly at sme f its lcatins) in a restricted range, r vulnerable t extinctin thrughut its range because f ther factrs; in the range f 21 t 100 ccurrences. G4 84 Apparently secure, thugh it may be quite rare in parts f its range, especially at the periphery. G5 S5 Demnstrably secure, thugh it may be quite rare in parts f its range, especially at the periphery. GU SU ' Pssibly in peril, but status uncertain; mre infrmatin needed. GH SH Histrically knwn; may be rediscvered. GX SX Believed t be extinct; histrical recrds nly, cntinue search. 85

.. ' ther cdes : A Accidental in the state; including species (usually birds r butterflies) recrded very infrequently, hundreds r thusands f miles utside their usual range B A state rank mdifier indicating breeding status fr a migratry species. Example: S1B,SZN -- breeding ccurrences fr the species are ranked SI (critically imperiled) in the state, nnbreeding ccurrences are nt ranked in the state. E An extic established in the state; may be native in nearby regins. HYB Element represents a hybrid f species. N A state rank mdifier indicating nn-breeding status fr a migratry species. Example: S1B,SZN -- breeding ccurrences fr the species are ranked SI (critically imperiled) in the state, nnbreeding ccurrences are nt ranked in the state. P Indicates the element may ptentially ccur in the state. Q Taxnmic questins r prblems invlved, mre infrmatin needed; appended t the glbal rank. ' R Reprted in the state; but lacking dcumentatin which wuld prvide a basis fr either accepting r rejecting the reprt. T Rank fr a subspecific taxn (subspecies, variety, r ppulatin) ; appended t the glbal rank fr the full species. Z Ranking nt applicable. # A mdifier t SX r SH; the species has been reintrduced but the ppulatin is nt yet breeding and established. USF&WS (USESA) Status: The cdes in this clumn dente the categries defined in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ntices f Review (1990, 1993, 1994), and indicate the status f a taxcn with respect t the federal Endangered Species Act f 1973: E/SA Treat as endangered because f similarity f appearance. LE LT Endangered Threatened P Prpsed E r T CI Ntice f Review, Categry 1 (substantial bilgical infrmatin n file t supprt the Epprcpriaueness f prcpcsing t list as endangered r threatened) 66

. C2 Ntice f Review, Categry 2 (current infrmatin indicates that prpsing t list as endangered r threatened is pssibly apprpriate, but substantial bilgical infrmatin is nt n file t supprt an immediate ruling) C2* Categry 2, and the taxn is pssibly extinct. 3A Taxa fr which the USFWS has persuasive evidence f extinctin. 3B Names that, n the basis f current taxnmic understanding, d nt represent taxa meeting the Endangered Species Act's definitin f "species." 30 Taxa that have prven t be mre abundant r widespread than was previusly believed, and/r thse that are nt subject t any identifiable threat. NL Nt listed/n designatin. (See nte belw.) XN Nnessential experimental ppulatin. Nte: A species can have mre than ne federal designatin if the species' status varies within its range. In these instances the Mntana designatin is listed first. Examples: bald eagle = LELT. Species is Listed Endangered in Mntana; elsewhere in its range it may be Listed Threatened. trumpeter swan = C2NL. Species is a Categry 2 in Mntana; elsewhere in its range it may nt have USF&WS designatin. cmmn tern = NLC2. Species has n USF&WS designatin in Mntana; elsewhere in its range it may be a Categry 2. USFS Status: The status f species in Mntana as defined by the U.S. Frest Service Tianual (2670.22). These taxa are listed as such by the Reginal Frester (Nrthern Regin) n Mntana Natinal Frests. State Status: These cdes give the state legal status f vertebrates as listed in the 1989 Statutes f Mntana fr the Department f Fish, Wildlife and Parks. GA = game animal GF = game fish F3 = fur bearing animal Management Status : MB = migratry bird T'ii = upland game bird CD = clsed seasn E = endangered RH = restricted harvest NG = nngame wildlife P = prtected species U = unprtected species 87

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