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. The Corrmion Garter Snake is known from a single 

 location. 



The Western Toad was collected along Prickley Pear Creek in Jefferson County in 1951. 

 \Vhether or not this was located on the HNF is unknown; it was not located during our surveys. 

 Perhaps the best chance of finding the Milk Snake on the HNF occurs in the southeastern 

 Elkhorns, given a known site to the south near Tlaree Forks and its secretive habits. It seem 

 doubtful that the Tailed Frog is found in the Elkliom Mountains given the intensity of surveys 

 (A. Harper, pers. comm.), and the surveyors specifically watching for the species, during the 

 summer of 1995. 



Given the meager information available from this range, and the Western Toad (known to be 

 declining) recorded from historic records but not relocated, all sightings of amphibians and 

 reptiles are of interest from this range and should be recorded. More baseline distribution 

 infonnation, particularly for species not yet recorded and breeding sites for known species, is 

 necessary before monitoring sites are chosen. 



Big Belt Mountains: The only species reported from the Big Belt Mountains on the HNF were 

 the Spotted Frog, Racer, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake. While Spotted Frogs appeared to 

 be common and widespread in this range, they did appear more localized than in either the 

 Elkhorns or main Rocky Mountains. 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 Terrestrial Garter 

 Snake was found at two locations and is probably wide-spread in the range. 



The Western Toad was collected historically just east of the HNF in the Big Belts, but was 

 not located during our sur\'eys. Perhaps the best chance of finding the Spiny Softshell or 

 Woodhouse's Toad on the HNF occurs in the Missouri River; both have questionable historic 

 records there. Given the meager information available from this range, and at least one species 

 known from historic records but not relocated, all sightings of amphibians (except perhaps 

 Spotted Frogs) and reptiles are of interest and should be recorded. Even for Spotted Frogs any 

 breeding locations found should be recorded. Such baseline distribution information is necessary 

 before monitoring sites are chosen. 



Dry Range: No herps are known from this range; there are no historic specimen records and we 

 did not sur\'ey in the range in 1995. Given the total lack of information available from this range, 

 all sightings of amphibians and reptiles are of interest and should be recorded. Baseline 

 distribution information is necessary before monitoring sites are chosen. 



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