-44- 



areas occur adjacent to the Yellowstone River. A local landowner (Reukhauf 

 pers. comm.) reported that a large snapping turtle frequented the area on the 

 northern vicinity of the present study area many years ago and that, at one 

 time "tortoises" (probably western box turtles; Terrapene omata) occurred on 

 the area, but none have been seen in the past twenty years. Documentation of 

 the latter species for Montana is lacking. 



Snakes and Lizards {Squamata) 



A total of six species of snakes and one specie of lizard were observed on 

 the study area. 



Racer {Coluber constrictor') - This species was observed in all vegetation types 

 on the area and was quite common. It was most often observed in the badlands 

 and creek types and was known to den with rattlesnakes in badland areas. 



Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) ~ This species was located once during 

 this study in the sage-grassland type. This species is listed as being of 

 "special interest or concern" for Montana and was rare on this area. Matthews 

 (1980) also captured two hognose snakes to the immediate east of the present 

 study area. 



Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum.) - One specimen of the milk snake was 

 captured in the sage-grassland type during this study. It was listed as rare 

 for this area and Is a species of "special interest or concern" for Montana. 

 Little is known about this species or its distribution in Montana. 



Bull Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) - Members of this species were most 

 frequently encountered in the sage-grassland and grassland types. A total of 

 14 individuals were recorded on the area during this study and, therefore, 

 it was listed as common. 



Plains Garter Snake {Thomnophis radix) - This species was uncommon on the area 

 and was usually found in the creek type or in sage-grassland areas adjacent to 

 it. Only six individuals of this species were observed during this study. 



Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus) - Rattlesnakes were observed in all 

 vegetation types on the area. They were most common in the badlands type and 

 two active dens were found in these areas. Rattlesnakes were common on this 

 area and were abundant at certain localities around den sites during spring 

 and fall. It was noted that the number of observations in 1980 dropped sub- 

 stantially from 1979 and the possibility exists that this was related to the 

 drought conditions which occurred. 



Short-Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi) - Two observations of the short- 

 horned lizard occurred on the study area in the sage-grassland type. This 

 species was probably more common than the data indicated, but they are secretive 

 and difficult to locate. 



It should be noted here that the potential exists for the occurrence of sage- 

 brush lizards (Scetoporus graciosus) on this area. A proprietor of a cafe in 

 Terry who was born and raised on the study area stated that as a child he used 

 to climb in the rocks of the badlands and catch "sand lizards". When asked to 

 identify the lizards by leafing through the color plates in the Field Guide to 



