Amphibians and Reptiles 



Three species of amphibians and two species of reptiles were 

 observed on the study area (Table 61). All were common to 

 abundant. Other species were probably present, but not 

 encountered. 



Table 61. Amphibians and reptiles observed on the Prairie Do^ 

 Creek study area. 



1. Eastern toad 



2. Woodhouse toad 



3. Northern chorus frog 



4. Racer 



5. Bull snake 



BaffO Moodhou^^Z 

 ?6e.adackfii6 tni^zKlata 

 Colubufi coni>tKictofL 

 P-ltuoph-is catznl^zn. 



SUMMARY AND RECOHMEinDATIONS 



The Hanging Woman Creek study area has the most abundant 

 populations of big game animals, mule deer and antelope. Both 

 species are quite dense and in good condition. Both species 

 seem to be non-migratory and spend most of the year on relatively 

 small home ranges. The Hanging Woman Creek area is excellent 

 sage grouse habitat and supports a thriving sage grouse population, 

 Sharp-tailed grouse and ring-necked pheasants are also present 

 in fair numbers. 



While mule deer and antelope numbers in the Otter Creek area 

 do not approach the levels in Hanging Woman, they are more 

 than adequate. Many deer seem to commute into the Otter Creek 

 study area from the surrounding Custer National Forest to feed, 

 returning to the forest for cover and rest. The lack of ample 

 expanses of sagebrush severely limit antelope numbers and 

 distribution in the Otter Creek area. The lack of sagebrush 

 is further evidenced by the fact that no sage grouse grounds 

 were located in the study area. Otter Creek does provide 

 excellent habitat for sharptail grouse and ring-necked pheasants 

 and has large populations of these tv/o bird species. 



Prairie Dog Creek has no antelope or sage grouse populations. 

 Only one sharp-tailed grouse dancing ground was found within 

 one mile of the study area, none actually on the area. Mule 

 deer were the most common game species observed and they were 

 not seen in nearly half of the monthly aerial surveys. Prairie 

 Dog Creek is easily the poorest of the three study areas in 

 terms of game species diversity and density. 



^Ci9. 



