Regional Information 



Rocky Mountain chain: The Tailed frog was only reported from the main Rocky Mountain 

 range of the HNF in the Lincoln District. It appears to be more localized on the HNF than in 

 areas to the west and north. It is not known on the HNF to the south of the Blackfoot River. 

 Electro-shocking fish surveys should be used to determine how widespread this species is; all 

 incidental observations should be recorded. 



Other species found during sur\'eys, or for which historic locations are known, on the Rocky 

 Mountains of the HNF include the: Long-toed Salamander, Western Toad, Spotted Frog, Racer, 

 Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, and Common Garter Snake. All of these species are also 

 present in the Elkliom and/or the Big Belt Mountains. The Western Toad was only found 

 breeding at two locations on the forest; this may be a function of the small amount of sampling or 

 the apparent decline in much of western Montana. Both breeding locations should be considered 

 for monitoring to see if Western Toads continue to breed at them and are successfully reaching 

 metamorphosis. Substantial populations of the Spotted Frog were found throughout the range; it 

 was more commonly encountered than any other amphibian or reptile, though ironically it is one 

 of the two C-2 Candidate species present on the HNF. A beaver pond area on a tributary of 

 Beaver Creek might be considered for long-term monitoring of Spotted Frogs and Long-toed 

 Salamanders; it currently has very large populations of both species. Concerned citizens might be 

 willing to participate in long-term surveys. The Racer was not found during our surveys; the 

 only historic records for the Rocky Mountains on the HNF are from Davis (1963), which is a 

 large-scale state map with dots which appear to fall on the Forest. The Western Ten-estrial 

 Garter Snake appears to be the most common reptile on the forest. It is perhaps 2-5 times as 

 conmion as the Common Garter Snake, which may be undergoing a decline in Montana, Idaho, 

 and elsewhere. 



Given the low numbers of locations for any amphibians or reptiles on the PINF, all sightings 

 of any species should be recorded. A possible exception would be for Spotted Frogs; however, 

 breeding locations found should be recorded even for this species until more are known and 

 mapped. Of particular interest would be records of the following species which have not yet 

 been recorded on the Forest: Western Chorus Frog. Plains Spadefoot, Northern Leopard Frog, 

 Painted Turtle, Rubber Boa, Gopher Snake, and Western Rattlesnake. All of these potentially 

 present species, except the Rubber Boa, are most likely to be seen at low elevations in open 

 habitat. Additionally, the reported sites for Northern Leopard Frog and Western Chorus Frog 

 near McDonald Pass should be revisited. 



Elkhorn Mountains: No species were restricted to the Elkhom Mountains. The Long-toed 

 Salamander is found in the northv.estem part of the Elkhoms, the farthest east reported location 

 in its range. The Elkliorns are the only isolated mountain range east of the Continental Divide 

 where this species is found. Given this unique situation, the distribution should be carefully 

 mapped. 



Other species found during surv'eys, or for which historic locations are known, in the Elkliom 

 Mountains on the HNF include the Spotted Frog and Common Garter Snake. Both of these 

 species are also present in the niain R.ock>' and/or the Big Belt Mountains. Substantial 



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