Montana Units Information 



Chalk Buttes: The Chalk Buttes were not surveyed during our June trip, and the September 

 surveys were done on a cool windy day. Several areas were surveyed for plants during good 

 weather, \et the botanist recorded herps; thus this was the most poorly surveyed Unit. Only a 

 single reptile was found during our survey of this area, the Sagebrush Lizard, a U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service Category 2 species. This is the eastern-most location in Montana and it is not 

 known from Harding County, South Dakota. The only other species known to be present is the 

 Tiger Salamander, known from an historic record (Appendix 4). 



Given the low numbers of locations for any amphibians or reptiles on Chalk Butte, all 

 sightings of any species should be recorded. The Sagebrush Lizard population could be 

 considered as a long-term monitoring site since it is a Candidate species and this is the only Unit 

 where the species was found. 



Ekalaka Hills: Five species of amphibians and one species of reptile are known from the 

 Ekalaka Hills. The Tiger Salamander was found just outside USFS lands and is known 

 historically form on the Unit. The Plains Spadefoot was reported for the first time from the 

 Ekalaka Hills during our surveys, while the Northern Leopard frog was found both during our 

 surveys and historically on the Unit. Both Woodhouse's Toad and the Western Chorus Frog are 

 known historically from the Unit, but were not seen or heard during our surveys; it seems likely 

 that the timing of the surveys was slightly late to hear calling males. The Gopher Snake was 

 both reported historically and found during our surveys in the Ekalaka Hills. Most historic 

 information was collected by the National Biological Survey in 1916. Given the meager 

 information available from this range, all sightings of amphibians and reptiles are of interest 

 from this range and should be recorded. Baseline distribution information, particularly for 

 species not yet recorded and for breeding sites of known species, is necessary before monitoring 

 sites are chosen. 



Long Pines: This range has the best historical data available from any Unit in Montana, most of 

 which was collected by the University of Kansas in 1970. All amphibians (7 species) known 

 from the Sioux-CNF are known from Long Pines. Northern Leopard Frogs appeared to be 

 common in this range, though few breeding sites were located during our surveys. Tiger 

 Salamanders, Great Plains Toads, Woodhouse's Toads, Western Chorus Frogs, Plains 

 Spadefoots, and Bullfrogs have been collected historically, but were not located during our 

 surveys. 



All reptiles except the Sagebrush Lizard (5 species) known from the Sioux-CNF are known 

 from Long Pines. Racers appeared to be common in this range; three were located during our 

 surveys. Painted Turtles, Gopher Snakes, Plains Garter Snakes, and Western Rattlesnakes, have 

 been collected historically but were not located during our surveys. 



Given the little current information available from this range and the many species known 

 from historic records which were not relocated, all sightings of amphibians and reptiles are of 

 interest and should be recorded. Even for Northern Leopard Frogs, any breeding locations found 



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