ABSTRACT 



A total of 44 sun'eys and several additional sightings were made in the Helena National 

 Forest (HNF) between May and August 1995. Localized areas across the entire forest were 

 covered in the survey. Surveys of ponds, lakes, seeps, streams or other wetlands, made by 1 or 2 

 individuals. Each survey took 10-150 person-minutes and consisted of a thorough search of the 

 wetland perimeter and netting of near shore aquatic habitats for adults, eggs, larvae, and tadpoles. 

 Stream sampling was done by hand and dipnet. Seeps were checked by rolling over rocks and 

 logs in and near wet areas. In addition to surs'eys, sightings were made from road kills, vocal 

 identifications, or fortuitous sightings by other reliable individuals. 



Four amphibians are present on the HNF: Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma 

 macrodactylum). Tailed Frog {Ascaphus truei). Western Toad {Bufo boreas), and Spotted Frog 

 {Rana pretiosa). The Spotted Frog was the most widespread amphibian tliroughout the forest. 

 The Tailed Frog has been reported from a single location on the Lincoln District. Long-toed 

 Salamanders were found throughout the main Rocky Mountain chain and in the Elkliom 

 Mountains. The Western Toad was found in very few locations on the HNF in 1995, all in the 

 main Rocky Mountain chain. Historically it has been reported in the Big Belt Mountains; 

 however it was not found there during our surveys. This is consistent with the apparent region- 

 wide declines in this species. Four other prairie-inliabiting amphibians have been reported in the 

 area, though in some cases well away from HNF lands; these include the Western Chorus Frog 

 {Pseudacris trisehatd), Woodhouse's Toad {Bufo woodhousii), Plains Spadefoot {Scaphiopus 

 bombifrons), and Northern Leopard Frog {Rana pipiens). The Western Chorus Frog is common 

 in prairie ponds to the north and east of HNF lands; two reports were received for the Helena 

 National Forest, but need confimiation. A tadpole reported to be a Woodhouse's Toad is present 

 at the Montana State University Museum; given the difficulty in identifying toad tadpoles and 

 distance from known sites, this should be treated as hypothetical until verified. The Plains 

 Spadefoot is known from the Helena Valley, but has yet to be found in the ITNF. A report was 

 received of a Northern Leopard Frog from the vicinity of McDonald Pass; given the distance 

 from other known locations and unusual habitat, this report should be treated as hypothetical 

 until verified. The Northern Leopard Frog was also reported historically from several prairie 

 areas, outside and at lower elevations than HNF lands. The Deepdale Fishing Access Site had 

 frogs as recently as 1994, however three surveys in 1995 failed to relocate them. Northern 

 Leopard Frogs are nearly extirpated from western Montana, and recent evidence indicates a 

 decline elsewhere in Montana (except perhaps the southeast comer). 



Ten reptiles have been reported from near the HNF, but only tliree have been definitely 

 reported from on the forest: the Racer {Coluber constrictor), Western Terrestrial Garter Snake 

 {Thamnophis elegans) and Conimon Garter Snake {TJwmnophis sirtalis). All were reported in 

 the main Rocky Mountains. The Racer and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake also were found in 

 the Big Belt Mountains and there is a record of the Common Garter Snake from the Elkliom 

 Mountains. The following reptiles have been reported in the area and may eventually be found 

 on lower elevation HNF lands: Painted Turtle {Chrysemys picta). Spiny Softshell {Trionyx 

 spinifera). Short-homed Lizard {Phrynosoina douglasi). Rubber Boa {Charina bottae). Milk 

 Snake {Lcmpropeltis triangidum), Gopher Snake {Pituophis catenifer), and Western Rattlesnake 



ni 



