can be sampled with a dipnet; adults may also be captured by hand. Many adults may leave 

 the breeding ponds following egg laying and move to nearby feeding areas for the summer. 

 Tadpoles are difficult to distinguish from those of the Northern Leopard Frog in areas where 

 the two species may overlap. 



Status: The most common frog on the ITNF and in western Montana. It was observed in all areas 

 sur\'eyed on the HNF, and occurred in all 28 sites where any amphibian was species found. 

 However, it appeared to be much less common in the Big Belt Mountains than the Elkliorns 

 or main Rocky Mountains. The species was previously a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

 Category 2 Candidate species in Montana; elsewhere in its range it is listed as a C-1, with 

 Threatened/Endangered status warranted but precluded by work on higher priority species 

 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). While significant declines are known from the 

 southern end of the range (Nevada, southern Idaho, Utah) and are also apparent in coastal 

 Washington (McAllister et al. 1993), Oregon, and California, recent (as yet unpublished) 

 research indicates that those populations are actually different species. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G4 S4. 



Racer {Coluber constrictor) 



Description: A slender, but moderately long snake, the Racer ranges from 20-65 inches in length. 

 Adult coloration is uniform across the dorsal side but it can vary from a greenish-gray to 

 brown or blue. The ventral side is whitish to pale yellow, the latter color extending onto the 

 upper lip scales and nasal region. The eyes are relatively large. The scales are smooth and 

 the nostril is bordered by two scales. 



Young: Snakes (up to about 20") have a much different coloration than the adults consisting 

 of a series of dorsal brown blotches edged with black which run the length of the animal; a 

 row of blotches is also found on each side of the animal extending onto the ventral side. 



Similar species: Young Gopher Snakes may be distinguished by the keeled rather than smooth 

 scales of the young Racer. Young Western Hognose Snakes have an upturned nose. Smooth 

 Green Snakes are smaller and colored bright grass-green and whitish below; their nostrils are 

 centered in single scales. Also see Rubber Boa. 



Habitat and Habits: The Racer is associated with open habitats, either in shortgrass, slirub-steppe, 

 or forested areas (Hammerson 1982a, Ba.xter and Stone 1985). It is often found near water 

 and rocks. The Racer is an extremely fast and agile snake. A clutch of perhaps 3-7 eggs is 

 laid in the summer (Stebbins 1985). It preys on insects and small vertebrates such as mice 

 and frogs. 



Surveying: They may be sur\'eyed for by slowly walking through appropriate habitat on warm, 

 sunny days and carefiiUy watching for them; this technique is moderately effective for the 

 Racer. However, as with many lizards and snakes, they may easily be missed. Carefully 

 documented incidental obsen'ations may provide the best clues to their distribution. They 

 may be also taken in funnel traps with drift fences. Mark-recaplTjre methods offer the best 

 opportunity for determining population status. 



Status: The Racer was not seen in this sur\'ey, however, Davis (1963) has a map of this species 

 which shows records apparently on the HNF. A more recent sighting was made just off the 



14 



