ABSTRACT 



A total of 27 site surveys of ponds, lakes, river channels and hillside slopes at 23 sites, 

 and 85 additional opportunistic sightings of reptiles and amphibians, were made on and near the 

 Bitterroot National Forest during March to October, 1995. Most surveys were performed by a 

 single individual. Two ponds were visited at least tvsdce, assessed as future amphibian 

 monitoring sites, and one of these was surveyed four times (once a month from May to August). 

 Each survey took 10-60 minutes (mean = 23 minutes) and consisted of a thorough search of the 

 wetland perimeter and netting of near shore aquatic habitats for larvae and tadpoles. Stream 

 sampling was done by hand and dipnet. Hillsides were traversed on foot and checked for snakes 

 and lizards by rolling over rocks and logs. Opportunistic sightings were compiled from road 

 kills, vocal identifications, fortuitous encounters vn\h live animals, and reports from reliable 

 individuals. Historical records of reptiles and amphibians on or near the Bitterroot National 

 Forest were compiled from museum collections, unpublished reports and the published literature. 



Efforts were made to sample wetland habitats at different elevations throughout the entire 

 forest, but due to time constraints, weather conditions, and the large area with relatively difficult 

 accessibility, the majority of surveys were near established roads between 3200-5000 feet 

 elevation. Six surveys, however, were above 7000 feet elevation. Surveys were conducted in 

 each of the forest districts, but coverage was uneven, and the Sula and West Fork districts 

 received less attention in 1995 than the Stevensville and Darby districts. 



Eight amphibian species (two salamanders, one toad, five frogs) have been reported from 

 the Bitterroot National Forest area; six of these species were encountered in 1995. Among 

 amphibians, the Long-toed Salamander, Tailed Frog, Western Toad and Spotted Frog were found 

 throughout the forest, either during the 1995 survey or previously. Large gaps, however, remain 

 in the distributions of each species. The Coeur D'Alene Salamander (a U.S. Forest Service 

 Sensitive Species) and the Pacific Chorus Frog appear to have very restricted distributions within 

 the forest (the Coeur D'Alene Salamander was not seen in 1995); the introduced Bullfrog 

 appears restricted to sites near the Bitterroot River. The Northern Leopard Frog apparently has 

 been extirpated from the Bitterroot National Forest area (and a large portion of western 

 Montana). 



Nine reptile species (one turtle, two lizards, six snakes) have been reported on or near the 

 Bitterroot National Forest; seven of these species were encountered in 1995. The Painted Turtle 

 seems to be limited to the Bitterroot River area north of Hamilton. The Northern Aligator Lizard 

 and Western Skink are widespread in western Montana, including on the BNF, but populations 

 within their ranges appear to be disjunct; current population status of each is imknown and no 

 skinks were reported in 1995. Rubber Boa, Gopher Snake, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake and 

 Common Garter Snake are widspread, but large gaps remain in the distributions of each species; 

 the Gopher Snake seems to be most abundant in the Bitterroot Valley. Racer and Western 

 Rattlesnake appear to be restricted to the east side of the Bitterroot Valley in drier sites; it is 

 surprising that there are so few reports of Racers, and no rattlesnakes were reported in 1995. 

 Only the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake could be considered as abimdant and widespread. 



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