Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River HMUs

Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology 1 University of California, Davis

Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River

Habitat Management Units

Results from the 2009 Field Season

A Report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -

Walla Walla District

Ona S. V. Alminas, Avery A. Cook, and Andrew Engilis Jr. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology

University of California, Davis

May 2010

Covering the following HMUs Toothaker

Yakima Bend Richland Bend

Hood Park Riparia

John Henley Nisqually John Alpowa Creek Chief Timothy

Plus Incidental Observations on

17 other HMUs

Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River HMUs – Final Report 2009 season Walla Walla District, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers


Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River

Habitat Management Units

Results from the 2009 Field Season

A Report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -

Walla Walla District May 2010

By Ona S. V. Alminas, Avery A. Cook, and Andrew Engilis Jr.

Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology

University of California, Davis

Suggested citation.

Alminas, O.S.V., A. A. Cook, P. L. Gibert, and A. Engilis, Jr. 2010. Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake

River Habitat Management Units: Results from the 2009 Field Season. A Report to the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers - Walla Walla District. Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, Department of

Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology. University of California, Davis.

Covering the following HMUs Toothaker

Yakima Bend Richland Bend

Hood Park Riparia

John Henley

Nisqually John Alpowa Creek Chief Timothy

Plus Incidental Observations on

17 other HMUs



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................. 5 1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 6 2.0 Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 7 2.1 Nomenclature & Species Lists ........................................................................................ 9 2.2 Survey Methods ............................................................................................................... 9

2.2.1 Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) .................................................................................. 10 2.2.2 Nocturnal VES and road searches ................................................................................. 11 2.2.3 Anuran call survey/ eyeshine spotlighting .................................................................... 11 2.2.4 Dipnet/ water surveys .................................................................................................... 12 2.2.5 Guzzler dipnet survey .................................................................................................... 12 2.2.6 Funnel trapping ............................................................................................................. 13 2.2.7 Skin molt / Reptile Determinations ............................................................................... 14 2.2.8 Incidental detections and specimens ............................................................................. 14

2.3 Amphibian chytrid fungus testing ................................................................................. 14 3.0 General Results .............................................................................................................................. 15 3.1 Survey results ................................................................................................................ 15 3.2 Amphibian chytrid fungus testing ................................................................................. 17 4.0 Discussion ....................................................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Previous studies ............................................................................................................. 19 4.2 Survey method efficiency .............................................................................................. 21 4.3 Gallinaceous guzzler use by Long-toed Salamanders ................................................... 22 4.4 Toad (Bufo sp.) distribution along the lower Snake River ............................................ 25 4.5 Lack of lizards ............................................................................................................... 25 4.6 Other species not detected ............................................................................................. 27 4.7 Amphibian chytrid fungus ............................................................................................. 29 5.0 Tricities-Managed HMUs.............................................................................................................. 31 5.1 Toothacre HMU ............................................................................................................................. 32

Methods summary .......................................................................................................................... 32 Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 32 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 32

5.2 Yakima Delta HMU ....................................................................................................................... 35 Methods .......................................................................................................................................... 35 Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 35 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 35

5.3 Richland Bend HMU ..................................................................................................................... 38 Methods summary .......................................................................................................................... 38 Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 38 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 38

5.4 Hood Park....................................................................................................................................... 40 Methods summary .......................................................................................................................... 40 Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 40 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 40

5.5 Summary of 2008 and 2009 surveys ............................................................................................. 43 5.6 Management Recommendations .................................................................................................. 43 6.0 Clarkston-Managed HMUs ........................................................................................................... 44 6.1 Riparia HMU ................................................................................................................. 45


6.2 John Henley HMU ......................................................................................................................... 48




6.3 Nisqually John Canyon HMU ....................................................................................................... 52 Methods summary .......................................................................................................................... 52 Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 52 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 52

6.4 Alpowa Creek HMU ...................................................................................................................... 56 Methods summary .......................................................................................................................... 56 Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 56 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 56

6.5 Chief Timothy HMU ...................................................................................................................... 59 Methods summary .......................................................................................................................... 59 Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 59 Results ............................................................................................................................................ 59

6.6 Other Clarkston-managed HMUs ................................................................................................ 62 6.6.1 Lower Monumental pool ............................................................................................... 62 6.6.2 Little Goose pool ........................................................................................................... 63 6.6.3 Lower Granite Pool ....................................................................................................... 65

7.0 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................ 67 Appendix A. Species list for Walla Walla District HMUs (lower Snake River). .................................. 70 Appendix B. Snake molt identifications, 2009 ........................................................................................ 71 Appendix C. Species detection table for Toothacre HMU, 2009 surveys. ............................................. 72 Appendix D. Species detection table for Yakima Delta HMU, 2009 surveys. ...................................... 74 Appendix E. Species detection table for Richland Bend HMU, 2009 surveys. ..................................... 75 Appendix F. Species detection table for Hood Park HMU, 2009 surveys. ............................................ 75 Appendix G. Species detection table for Riparia HMU, 2009 surveys. ................................................. 76 Appendix H. Species detection table for John Henley HMU, 2009 surveys. ......................................... 77 Appendix I. Species detection table for Nisqually John Canyon HMU, 2009 surveys. ......................... 78 Appendix J. Species detection table for Alpowa Creek HMU, 2009 surveys. ....................................... 79 Appendix K. Species detection table for Chief Timothy HMU, 2009 surveys. ..................................... 79 Appendix L. Species Accounts................................................................................................................ 81



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would first and foremost like to thank the field assistant of the Museum of Wildlife and Fish

Biology (MWFB) Edith P. Jovel whose long hours in the field contributed tremendously this project.

Also from the MWFB, Mana Hattori, Irene E. Engilis, Jeffery Prentice, Angela Hsiung, and Melanie

Truan contributed records of incidental herp sightings from previous small mammal trapping efforts.

The assistance of Robert Thomson and Levi Gray with the Shaffer Lab (UC Davis, Dept. of Evolution

and Ecology) was invaluable to this project. Robert provided support with taxonomy recommendations

and genetic analyses of tadpole tail clips. Both Robert and Levi provided feedback on survey methods,

species identification, and confirmed identification of snakeskin molts we collected in the field.

Michael Guilfoyle of the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) arranged for the

research to be coordinated through the Walla Wall District office, obtained our Washington state

scientific collecting permit and assisted in the field. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Biologist

Mark Halupczok of the Walla Walla District arranged field site access and assisted with logistics for

truck and boat transportation to remote sites. Pete Ober and Mark Plummer, Fisheries Biologists with

the Walla Walla District also assisted with vehicle and boat transportation to remote sites. Mike Butler

and Mark Graves assisted with logistics and field transportation from the USACE Clarkston Field

Office. We would also like to thank the workers from De Ruwe Habitat Management for taking the

time to share their experiences with herpetofauna at the HMUs, and Carlos Alvarado, who assisted with

materials, supplies and methods for this project. Lori Salzer of Washington Department of Fish and

Wildlife (WDFW) was gracious enough to provide historical records for species status species in our

study area. Gretchen Padgett-Flohr of the University of Illinois Carbondale, Steve Wagner of Central

Washington University, Jason Lowe of the Bureau of Land Management and Dede Olson of the USDA

Forest Service provided information regarding amphibian chytridiomycosis in Washington state. The

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, One Health Program was instrumental in assisting in the

field to sample and analyze anurans for chytrid fungus. Specifically we wish to thank Cheryl Scott

(oneHealth Program Director), and veterinary extern students who assisted in the field, Ryan Sadler,

Sarah Smolley and Francois Bates.

Photo credits: All photos were taken by Ona Alminas and Andrew Engilis, Jr.



1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Columbia River and Snake River watersheds remain some of the most altered in western North

America. With over 20 major dams, massive land conversion for agriculture and recreation, and a

rapidly growing human population, wildlife refuges and managed lands provide some of the only

protected remaining habitats. In association with the dams, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(USACE) manages a network of Habitat Management Units (HMUs) that are distributed along most of

the shoreline of the Snake and Columbia rivers. Traditionally these HMUs have been managed for

recreation including hunting, fishing and off-road vehicles. In the past two decades USACE biologists

recognized that the HMUs also support a vast array of wildlife and vegetation, and so began to question

the future management of the HMUs and the biodiversity they support. There was a need for natural

resource baseline data for making species and habitat management decisions on USACE lands. The

USACE began to develop strategies to inventory and investigate natural resources and management for

multiple species. These directives are organized into three basic levels of effort: land use

classifications and rapid assessment of diversity (Level 1), multi-species detailed inventories (Level 2),

adaptive management investigations (Level 3) (USACE 1996).

In 2005 the USACE and the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology at the University of

California, Davis (MWFB) entered into a cooperative agreement to initiate Level 1 vertebrate

inventories of small mammal diversity and abundance relative to Russian olive (Elaeagnus

angustifolia) in the Walla Walla District, eastern Washington (Guilfoyle 2006). From this survey start,

our efforts and collaboration have evolved into a general Level 2 biodiversity inventory of terrestrial

vertebrates within the District, including reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna). The scope of this

effort was to inventory amphibians and reptiles at Walla Walla district HMUs along the lower Snake

River in southeastern Washington. Within this scope, the main goals were to examine species richness

at each HMU, discuss habitat use, and as a result of our research, fill in the gaps in distribution for

several species along the Lower Snake River canyon and the Columbia/Snake River confluence.

The herpetofaunal surveys began in 2008 on HMUs in and around the Tri-Cities region of the Walla

Walla District, spanning 55 river miles up the Snake River from Burbank to Lyon’s Ferry (Walla Walla

and Franklin counties) (Table 1). With the completion of 2009 surveys (year 2), the efforts covered a

130 mile length of the Snake River (Tri-Cities, Washington to Lewiston, Idaho) and portions of the

Columbia River from Umatilla, Oregon to Richland, Washington (Figure 1). This is the final report of

the 2008 and 2009 field season findings.

Understanding the diversity and distribution of the region’s herpetofauna is a critical step in

understanding the ecological condition of the HMUs under investigations. Owing to their

comparatively sedentary nature, amphibians and reptiles are susceptible to local habitat changes and

environmental conditions. Therefore their presence and absence can serve as accurate indicators on

ecosystem health, food-webs, environmental contaminants, impacts of invasive species, and other

anthropogenic forces influencing the landscape (Lawler et al. 2003).

MWFB

Biologist

sampling for

amphibians at

Toothaker (left)

and John

Henley HMUs.



2.0 METHODS

The study area is located in southeastern Washington state along a stretch of the Lower Snake River

near the confluence with the Columbia River just south of Finley, Washington upstream 130 miles

along the Snake River to Lewiston, Idaho (Figure 1). This stretch of the Snake River borders seven

Counties (Table 1). Surveys were conducted in USACE lands bordering five river “pools” formed

between the McNary Dam in northeastern Oregon on the Columbia River to upstream the Snake River

by Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite Dams. The McNary pool

encompasses the Columbia River and confluence with the Snake River upstream to the Ice Harbor

Dam; the stretch of river between the Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental Dams forms the Ice Harbor

pool; the stretch of river between Lower Monumental Dam to the Little Goose Dam forms the Lower

Monumental Pool; the stretch of river between the Little Goose and Lower Granite dams comprises the

Little Goose pool, and the river between Lower Granite dam and Clarkson forms the Lower Granite

pool (Figure 1). In 2008, we inventoried HMUs managed along the Columbia/ Snake River

confluence in the McNary pool upstream to HMUs managed in the Lower Monumental pool. In 2009

we inventoried HMUs managed along the Snake River within the McNary, Lower Monumental and

Lower Granite pools (Figure 2). Additional surveys were conducted at HMUs in the Lower

Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite pools to determine use of gallinaceous guzzlers by Long-

toed Salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) in these areas (refer to Sections 2.2.5, 6.6). Two-letter

site codes were developed to abbreviate each HMU name for GPS and other detection descriptions

(Table 1).

Figure 1. Overview of Snake River pools and associated USACE lands surveyed in 2008 (black ovals) and areas surveyed

in 2009 (dotted ovals). Image: http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/lsr/REPORTS/sportfish/phase_2/ph2_part1.htm#2.1



Figure 2. Lower Snake River HMUs surveyed by MWFB efforts in 2008 and 2009.



2.1 NOMENCLATURE & SPECIES LISTS

As with some vertebrate groups, the taxonomy and systematics of North American herpetofauna is in a

state of flux. For example, the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) proposed

major name changes to 48 of the 100 described genera of North American anurans in the peer-reviewed

Amphibian Tree of Life (Frost et al. 2006, R.C. Thomson, pers. comm.). Data derived from modern

molecular techniques are fast becoming the standard in exploring questions regarding speciation, and

the more researchers publish molecular (genetic) data of herpetofaunal species, the more questions

arise regarding species and sub-species level placements within known North American herpetofaunal

systematics. As a result, many of these publications in herp phylogenetics have attempted to resolve

taxonomic questions by offering final revisions in placement within a clade, but instead have created

scientific and common name instability and taxonomic confusion (R. C. Thomson, pers. comm.). We

built a species list of potential amphibians and reptiles for the study area from peer-reviewed

publications, literature and local agencies. The taxonomy presented for this report follows Stebbins

(2003) with updates to scientific and common names that have been broadly accepted in the literature.

A total of 24 species (2 salamanders, 7 frogs, 1 turtle, 5 lizards and 9 snakes) were identified to

potentially occur along the entire study area. This species list, along with alternate and proposed

names, can be found in Appendix A.

Table 2. Potential Washington state special status herpetofaunal species for the study area

Common Name Scientific Name Listing Status

Columbia Spotted Frog Rana luteiventris State Candidate for listing

Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens State Endangered, Federal Species of Concern

Western Toad Bufo boreas State Candidate for Listing, Federal Species of Concern

Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporous graciosus State Candidate for Listing, Federal Species of Concern

Striped Whipsnake Masticophis taeniatus State Candidate for listing Source: WDFW (2009)

2.2 SURVEY METHODS

While a combination of several survey methods will result in the most number of species detected,

budgetary, time and personnel constraints limited the number of methods that could be implemented.

Each of these methods (drift fence arrays, pitfall and funnel trapping) is biased in the species they

detect and limited in terms of applicability in different habitats (Corn & Bury, 1990). For this reason,

eight survey methods were used to determine herpetofaunal species diversity within the study area, and

were conducted from March through September 2008 and 2009 (Table 1). For all of these methods

(with the exception of incidental detections), time spent searching, dipnetting, listening was recorded to

obtain a measurement of effort (animals detected per unit time). For timed surveys, relative abundance

Table 1. Tricities and Clarkston-managed HMUs surveyed for herpetofaunal in 2009.

Tricities HMUs Clarkston HMUs

HMU County Acreage Pool HMU County Acreage Pool

Yakima Delta

(YD)

Benton 800 McNary Nisqually John

Canyon (NJ)

Whitman 3,509 Lower

Granite

Toothacre

(TO)

Benton 347 McNary Riparia (RA) Whitman 52 Lower

Monumental

Hood Park

(HP)

Walla Walla 60 McNary John Henley

(JH)

Whitman 868 Lower

Monumental

Richland

Bend (RB)

Franklin 10 McNary Alpowa Creek

(AL)

Asotin 81 Lower

Granite

Chief Timothy

(CT)

Asotin 77 Lower

Granite



was calculated as the number individuals detected per hour surveyed. For funnel trapping, relative

abundance was calculated as number of individuals captured per 100 trap-nights (TN). All detection

locations were recorded with a Garmin Vista HCX handheld GPS unit, in the form of each two-lettered

site code (Table 1) followed by the four-letter species code (listed in Appendix A) and the numbered

occurrence of that species. For example, “YDPSRE3” signifies the third detection of Pseudacris

regilla (Pacific Treefrog) for Yakima Delta HMU. Herps captured were photographed when possible,

in order to document animals captured to provide the USACE with a representative photo record of

herp species detected on corps lands. The use of coverboards, a method implemented in surveys of

HMUs in Franklin and Walla Walla Counties in 2008 was discontinued for 2009 surveys owing to low

productivity in results. Instead, aquatic and terrestrial funnel trapping was implemented to target

aquatic and terrestrial herpetofaunal species (Section 2.2.7). Some surveys required entry or contact

with water bodies to survey for aquatic herps (including wetlands, creeks, and inlets; see Sections

2.2.4-2.2.6). Owing to the potential risk for contamination of field gear by the amphibian chytrid

fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), measures were taken to disinfect all water-surveying

equipment with QUAT 128 (quaternary disinfectant, 1:60 dilution) or 10% bleach solution before

moving to a different HMU or site (Fellers 2008). Voucher specimens were collected for obtaining a

representative of each species and when positive identification cannot be reached in the field, under

Washington State Scientific Collection Permit # 08-274.

2.2.1 Visual Encounter Surveys (VES)

Visual encounter surveying (VES) is a standard and non-invasive method for inventorying herps. This

method is useful for determining the presence or absence of herptile species at a site and is a technique

best employed when several study areas need to be surveyed in a short time (Corn and Bury 1990).

VES allows researchers to cover a larger general area with different habitats and examine objects that

are most likely to reveal animals (Manley et al. 2006, Corn & Bury 1990). We used VES as our

primary method for inventorying herps on all HMUs. Because herptile activity is contingent with the

weather, researchers attempted to coordinate site visits with rainy weather for amphibians and warm

weather for reptiles. Our methods entailed two or three researchers walking through a habitat type,

parting vegetation with lumber or snake hooks, overturning debris, rocks, and logs to look for herps,

not spending more than 10 minutes at any one object and making sure to return the cover items to their

original positions (following Corn & Bury, 1990) (Figure 3). These surveys were conducted multiple

times each visit by one to three MWFB researchers. VES were not time or area constrained, but time

spent searching within a habitat type in the form of researcher hours was recorded so effort could be

calculated. Researchers attempted to capture each individual seen to correctly identify to species (with

the exception of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, which were positively

identified without capture). When an animal was captured, processing (handling) time of that animal

did not factor in to the total search time (Corn & Bury 1990). Animals captured were processed with

photo documentation and measurement (snout-vent and total length); air temperature, habitat and other

MWFB biologists conducting VES.



details of the detection were recorded. Once identified, the animal was released at the capture point,

and its location marked with by GPS unit. The locations of animals seen or heard and positively

identified without capture were also marked in this manner for future comparisons.

2.2.2 Nocturnal VES and road searches

Some of the target species in our study area are best found on warm nights (particularly snakes), along

roads or in rocky habitat (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). During warm, rainy weather, Great Basin

Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) and Woodhouse’s Toad (Bufo woodhousii) can be found along dirt and

paved roads as they emerge from their burrows. Each HMU with appropriate breeding habitat within or

near the site will be searched at night. Likewise, in periods of hot weather, dirt and paved roads were

searched for snakes.

Some of the potential reptile species in our study area were best found on warm nights along

roads, shrub-steppe, leaf-littered damp areas or in rocky habitat, specifically Night Snake (Hypsiglena

chlorophaea), Ring-neck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) and Rubber Boa (Charina bottae). During

warm, rainy weather anurans such as Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) and Woodhouse’s

Toad (Bufo woodhousii) can be found along dirt and paved roads as they emerge from their burrows

(Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). We conducted nocturnal surveys during rainy and/or warm periods to

record these movements, in evenings near and after sundown. Nocturnal VES followed the same

methods to search for and record species as diurnal VES and were conducted on warm nights in

habitats specific for crepuscular and nocturnal species. Nocturnal searches were typically conducted

between 19:00 and 24:00 hours, depending on humidity and temperature, using Maglite S2D015

flashlights and/ or an EagleTac P100A2 LED Flashlight for spotlighting. Additionally, night-time road

searches on dirt and/or paved roads within each HMU were conducted either on foot or by cruising in a

pickup truck, documenting time spent searching. Locations of detected animals were marked with GPS

unit.

2.2.3 Anuran call survey/ eyeshine spotlighting

Anuran call surveys during the late spring and summer were

conducted to inventory frog and toad species (anurans). Each

HMU was visited at least one night during monthly survey

periods from May through July to listen for broadcasting anurans.

Sites with standing water (ponds, ditches, inlet edges) were

visited; calling species and best estimated number were recorded.

Prior to initiating surveys, MWFB researchers trained in frog

calls using those published by Davidson (1995). We modified a

chorus scoring system used by Kinkead (2006) that assigns an

index ranking categorizing the number of frogs singing. A

ranking of “1” signifies that individual frogs can be counted, with space between calls. A “2” signifies

there is an overlap in calls but the observer is still able to distinguish between individuals. Finally, a

“3” designates a full chorus of constantly overlapping calls where the observer can no longer discern

between individuals. During quiet nights with low activity, customized Davidson (1995) calls were

broadcasted over a portable speaker system to try to elicit a response, listening 5 minutes between

broadcasts for a response. Anuran detections elicited in this manner were noted on datasheets. During

most anuran call surveys, MWFB researchers used a Maglite S2D015 flashlight and/ or an EagleTac

P100A2 LED Flashlight at eye level to spotlight for eyeshine with 10 x 42 binoculars along shorelines

of ponds, wetlands and inlets, particularly in areas where low or no anuran calling occurred. Areas that

yielded eyeshine detections (if early in the season) were visited at later dates to conduct anuran call

surveys to confirm the identity of anurans. Animals detected by eyeshine were counted towards the

survey if positive identification of the species could be made. For ponds or other bodies surveyed

multiple times during a season, estimated numbers of calling frogs with the highest number from one

survey was used in calculations of abundances. Locations of detected animals were marked with GPS

unit.



2.2.4 Dipnet/ water surveys

We surveyed standing water and/or inlet areas at each HMU for amphibian eggs and larvae in early

spring (Figure 4). River inlets with suitable habitat and ponds within sites were surveyed at least once

whereas shorelines with steep inclines or no emergent vegetation were not surveyed due to

unlikelihood of these habitats supporting amphibians (USFWS 1991). For large bodies of water, one to

two MWFB researchers donned waders to wade through water, visually inspecting the surface water

for frog egg masses and using long-handled dipnets. Nets used were 3/16 inch mesh, and were 16 by

16 by 12 inches in size. Smaller bodies of water (creeks, small ponds) were sampled using smaller nets

with mesh size ranging 3/16 inch to 1/32 of an inch. Sweeps were conducted in a random fashion, but

served to sample the entire wadable area, dipping in areas where aquatic vegetation was reduced.

Dipnet surveys were contained within the area of the water body, and time spent searching in the form

of researcher hours was recorded so effort could be calculated. When an amphibian was netted,

processing (handling) time of that animal did not factor in to the total search time (Corn & Bury 1990).

Animals captured were processed with photo documentation and measurement (total length); air

temperature, water temperature (at 6 inches below the surface) and other details of the detection were

recorded. Tadpole locations within a body of water were not marked at point of detection; rather, the

general location was marked with by GPS unit to document the portion of the water body where they

were found.

2.2.5 Guzzler dipnet survey

We expanded the Guzzler survey protocol to several HMUs in the Little Goose and Lower Granite

pools in 2009 after the initial discovery of amphibian eggs in gallinaceous guzzlers at 55-Mile in April

2008. All guzzlers at all sites were sampled in subsequent visits (Figure 5). Guzzlers were visited

during the day to mark their locations with a GPS unit, using the two-lettered site codes listed in Table

1 followed by “WT” (signifying “watering trough”) and the numbered encounter of that guzzler. For

instance, “BFWT3” signifies the third guzzler encountered and surveyed at Big Flat HMU. Also

during daytime visits, general habitat surrounding the guzzler, as well as presence of eggs or sign of

amphibians was noted. Guzzlers were then visited at night for optimal viewing using a Maglite

S2D015 flashlight and/ or an EagleTac P100A2 LED Flashlight for recording nocturnal activity.

Visual estimates of numbers of eggs and larvae were recorded rather than physical counting to prevent

disruption to the amphibians at these stages. The maximum number of eggs or larvae between the first

and subsequent visits (if any) were tallied to produce a minimum number estimate in each guzzler.

Captured amphibians at older larval stages were processed with photo documentation and measurement

(total length); air temperature, water temperature (at 6 inches below the surface), and other details of

the detection were also recorded. )

Left: MWFB biologist dip netting with waders. Right: MWFB biologist using small nets to capture

tadpoles.



2.2.6 Funnel trapping

Funnel traps were used to attempt to capture both aquatic and terrestrial herpetofaunal species between

June and August 2009. Traps used were double-end, with a funnel opening ranging in diameter

between 1 inch and 1.5 inches. Mesh was 0.25 inches, and traps measured 7.5 inches diameter at the

narrowest point, 9 inches at the widest point and were 16 inches long when set-up. Funnel traps were

baited with approx. 1 teaspoon full of tuna (either tuna in oil or tuna in water) or sardines in mesh

fabric and was suspended inside the trap with a Zip-tie. Captured animals were photographed,

measured for total length (snout-vent length for frogs), location marked with a GPS unit and then

released at the point of capture. Traps were placed in two different ways: aquatically and terrestrially.

Aquatic funnel traps

Funnel traps (photo right) were submerged two-thirds in water

(with the funnel entrance completely submerged) to allow

breathing room for captured animals. Traps were typically set

along wetland or edges of water bodies under vegetation to

provide shade to captured animals as well as serving as an anchor

to tie the traps to. Traps were spaced along shorelines of water

bodies greater than half an acre at approximately 50 to 100 feet

apart (between 1 and 10 traps per acre water), though in small

water bodies less than half an acre (i.e. wetlands) the density of

placement was greater (traps placed every 5-10 feet, up to 75

traps per acre). The time traps were set was recorded and effort

was calculated and number of minutes open. Traps were checked

within 24 hours of setting, and were typically set early in the day

and checked the following morning to allow for diurnally as well

as nocturnally active species to find and investigate the traps. All

traps were disinfected with a QUAT 128 (quaternary disinfectant,

1:60 dilution) or 10% bleach solution before moving to a

different HMU or site.

Terrestrial funnel traps

Traps were baited in the same way as aquatic traps and set singly on the ground along microhabitat

corridors (between parted grasses, along grass-shrub edges, along but out of the water’s edge, etc.). A

space in the ground was scuffed or dug out until the funnel entrance hole was flush with the ground to

facilitate entry into the trap. The time traps were set was recorded and effort was calculated as number

of hours open. Traps were checked within 24 hours of setting, and were typically set early in the day

and checked the following morning to allow for diurnally as well as nocturnally active species to find

and investigate the traps.

MWFB researchers examining guzzlers for breeding amphibians.



2.2.7 Skin molt / Reptile Determinations

When molted snake skins were found, we noted general habitat and marked each snakeskin molt with a

GPS unit (Figure 6). The skin was then collected and stored in plastic bags for later identification by

researchers with the Shaffer Lab at the University of California, Davis. Only skins that were complete

enough for positive identification were used in analyses.

2.2.8 Incidental detections and specimens

Locations of any reptiles or amphibians detected

incidentally were marked with a Garmin Vista HCX

handheld GPS unit and described in the same way as

those found during a VES. Specimens were collected

where needed to help confirm determinations of

tadpoles, young animals or hard to id herps. The

mammal crews worked closely to help record

observations of all herps detected while in the field.

We also salvaged herptiles found dead. These

specimens were vouchered and deposited into the

Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology.

2.3 AMPHIBIAN CHYTRID FUNGUS TESTING

In June 2009, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Calvin Schwab One Health Program

contributed field hours and funds for the testing of Lower Snake River HMU amphibians for the

amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Veterinary student externs and

MWFB researchers collected swab samples from amphibians captured at HMUs in the McNary, Lower

Monumental and Lower Granite pools. Methods for capture included dipnet/ water surveys, guzzler

dipnet surveys and funnel trapping. Out of Tricities-managed HMUs in the McNary pool, samples

were collected from Toothacre, Yakima Delta and Hood Park on June 12, 13 and 14, 2009. Samples

were collected from Clarkson-managed HMUs in the Lower Monumental and Lower Granite pool on

June 15, 16 and 17 2009 from Tucannon, Riparia, Nisqually John Canyon and Alpowa HMUs. Field

sampling (swab collection) was performed following the protocols of Brem et al. (2007) and Livo

(2004). Disinfection procedures for all aquatic contact or survey activity at all HMUs followed Fellers

(2008) protocol, as described in Section 2.2.

Skin swabs and tissue samples (tail clips from salamanders and mouthparts from tadpoles)

were collected and stored in 70% Ethanol for later analysis by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

methods at the Pisces Molecular (Boulder, Colorado). The PCR assay is extremely sensitive, allowing

for the detection of chytrid fungus presence in a sample with as little as one zoospore (Livo 2004, Brem

Snake skins were collected, marked by GPS and bagged for later identification.

Incidental observations included this Pacific

Rattler released from a Sherman Small Mammal

Trap.



et al. 2007). Owing to this sensitivity, precautions were taken to prevent cross-contamination through

the changing of gloves and sterilization of tools in between animals. Samples were batched (Table 5)

within species and localities (Brem et al. 2007).

3.0 GENERAL RESULTS

3.1 SURVEY RESULTS

From April through August 2009, we spent 240.67 hours conducting a total of 398 surveys and

completed 449 funnel trap-nights (TN) on nine HMUs along the Lower Snake River (Table 3). Details

of effort for Tricities and Clarkson-managed HMUs are presented in Sections 5.0 and 6.0, respectively.

We confirmed 14 species of reptiles and amphibians among all nine HMUs (6 amphibian and 8 reptile),

with an average species richness of 5.4 species per site. A total of 2,511 animals were captured or

detected during this inventory (from all survey methods combined), including 2,396 amphibians (333

salamanders, 2,063 frogs) and 116 reptiles (3 turtles, 4 lizards, 109 snakes) (Table 4). These totals

include all captured or observed adult amphibians and reptiles as well as frog tadpoles and salamander

larvae, serving only as a sample of the actual number of herptiles present. More species were detected

by the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method than any other method (9 species, combined diurnal and

nocturnal searches), followed by funnel trapping and incidental detections next (8 species each) (Table

4). While only one species was detected, guzzler dipnet surveying was an effective method for

determining presence of Long-toed Salamanders at certain HMUs (Tables 4 and 7).

Of the projected 24 species for our study area (Appendix A), we detected 14 species (Tables 4, 6).

The sites with the most number of species detected was Nisqually John Canyon and John Henley

HMUs (8 species) and the HMUs with the fewest number of species found were Chief Timothy and

Richland Bend HMUs (1 and 2 species, respectively). The most abundant herptile, amphibian and

anuran species detected was the American Bullfrog, which was detected by 5 methods (Table 4). The

most abundant reptile and snake was the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, whose presence was detected by

six survey methods. Long-toed Salamanders were found breeding in 9 of 36 guzzlers surveyed in

Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite pools (Table 6). Great Basin Spadefoot was

heard calling at Yakima Delta and Toothacre HMUs in the McNary pool and at John Henley in the

Lower Monumental pool. A total of 4 Western Toads were observed at two sites, one at Willow Bar

Table 3. Summary of effort and results by method, all sites combined

Sampling method Duration

(effort)

Number of

detections

Individual

detection rate

Species

richness

Visual encounter surveys (n=134) 92.27 hr 571 1/ 91.13 minutes 7

Nocturnal VES and road searches

(n=79) 50.53 hr 24 1/ 126.33 minutes 5

Anuran call surveys (n=100) 48.00 hr 1139 1/2.53 minutes 5

Dipnet surveys (n=45) 39.57 hr 493 1/4.82 minutes 6

Guzzler dipnet surveys (n=41)

(36 guzzlers surveyed) 10.30 hr 149

25% surveyed

showed presence 1

Aquatic funnel trapping 289 TN 113

19.4% trap

captures 5

Terrestrial funnel trapping 160 TN 3 1.3% trap captures 3

Snakeskin/ reptile determinations -- 12 -- 3

Incidental detections -- 68 -- 8 1 denotes individuals heard or seen during VES. 2 Relative abundance = No. individuals detected/ hour surveyed 3 Relative abundance = No. individuals captured/ 100 trap-nights



HMU in the Little Goose pool and three at Nisqually John Canyon in the Lower Granite pool.

Woodhouse’s Toads were most common at Toothacre HMU in the McNary pool. Pacific Treefrogs

were the second most abundant amphibian, and showed the greatest numbers at Yakima Delta HMU in

the McNary pool, Tucannon HMU in the Little Goose pool and Alpowa HMU in Lower Granite pool

(Sections 5.0 and 6.0). Two Painted Turtles were observed in April at Yakima Delta HMU in the

McNary pool (Section 5.0) and another at a pond in the Lower Granite pool (Section 6.0). Western

Skinks (Plestiodon skiltonianus) were observed at John Henley in the Lower Monumental Pool and 2

sites in the Lower Granite pool (Section 6.0). Sixteen detections of Western Yellow-bellied Racer

(Coluber constrictor mormon) were recorded by 4 survey methods, including four detections by

positive snakeskin determinations (Appendix B). Twenty-three Gopher Snake detections (Pituophis

catenifer) occurred by four survey methods at five HMUs. Two Common Garter Snakes (Thamnophis

sirtalis fitchi) were observed during survey months, one at Yakima Delta HMU and one at John Henley

HMU. Six of nine detections of Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) occurred at six

HMUs, with six detections by funnel trap capture. The most widely distributed species was the

Bullfrog, which was detected at 8 of the 9 HMUs by our surveys in 2009. The least widely distributed

species was the Northern Desert Night Snake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea), of which one individual was

found by Nocturnal VES at John Henley HMU (Section 6.0). No state sensitive species were detected

during the 2009 inventory period.

Table 4. Number of confirmed species identifications by survey method, 2009.

Species VES Nocturnal

VES

Anuran

call Dipnet

Guzzler

dipnet

Funnel

trapping

Snakeskin/

reptile

determination

Incidental totals

Long-toed

Salamander 110 188 35 333

Great Basin

Spadefoot 24 24

Western Toad 2 2 4

Woodhouse's

Toad 18 17 1 36

Pacific

Treefrog 4 358 283 21 2 668

American

Bullfrog 40 9 1,152 80 50 1,331

Painted Turtle 3 3

Western Skink 1 3 4

Western

Yellow-bellied

Racer 1 1 5 9 16

Gopher Snake 2 1 3 17 23

Common

Garter Snake 1 1 2

Terrestrial

Garter Snake 2 6 1 9

Thamnophis sp. 1 1

Night Snake 1 1

Northern

Pacific

Rattlesnake 7 12 1 1 5 31 57

Detection totals 57 24 1,553 493 188 116 12 68 2,511

Confirmed

species by

survey method 7 5 5 6 1 8 3 8



3.2 AMPHIBIAN CHYTRID FUNGUS TESTING

During June 2009, MWFB researchers and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine student externs

swabbed a total of 53 animals from 7 HMUs from Tricities to Clarkston. Swabs from individuals

captured or trapped at the same site or same water body were pooled for testing purposes, for a total of

19 pooled samples (and thus 19 data points). Four species were sampled for testing: Bullfrog (n=36

individual, 11 pooled samples), Pacific Treefrog (n=9, 5 pooled samples), Long-toed Salamander (n=5,

3 pooled samples) and Western Toad (n=2, 1 pooled sample). The results of testing of samples at the

Pisces Molecular Laboratory (Boulder, Colorado) found that of 4 species at 7 different HMUs, only

beak (mouthpart) samples collected from dead Bullfrog tadpoles turned up positive in two different

ponds (approx. 0.36 and 1 acre sizes) at just one of the sites (Toothacre HMU). The beaks of 2

combined samples of 3 Bullfrog tadpoles each tested positive for the fungus (Table 5).

Table 5. Results of amphibian chytrid fungus testing at Lower Snake River HMUs, 2009

HMU (site) Species Lifestage

No.

sampled

sample

date Northing Easting Test result

Hood Park Bullfrog juvenile frog 1 6/12/2009 5119933 344844 Negative

Hood Park Bullfrog

juvenile or

adult frog 9 6/12/2009 5119694 344785 Negative

Yakima Delta Bullfrog adult frog 1 6/13/2009 5123324 326524 Negative

Yakima Delta Bullfrog tadpole 3 6/13/2009 5123319 326559 Negative

Toothacre Bullfrog

tadpole, found

dead 3

6/11,

6/13/2009 5109702 346201 Positive

Toothacre Bullfrog

juvenile or

adult frog 7 6/13/2009 5109847 345956 Negative

Toothacre Bullfrog

tadpole, found

dead 3 6/13/2009 5109923 346009 Positive

Toothacre Bullfrog metamorph 2 6/14/2009 5109923 346009 Negative

Tucannon

Pacific

Treefrog metamorph 2 6/16/2009 5155660 410086 Negative

Tucannon

Long-toed

Salamander larva 4 6/16/2009 5155941 410145 Negative

John Henley

Pacific

Treefrog adult frog 2 6/15/2009 5158854 416967 Negative

John Henley

Long-toed

Salamander

larva or

neotene 1 6/16/2009 5158876 416920 Negative

Nisqually

John Bullfrog adult frog 6 6/14/2009 5150756 482173 Negative

Nisqually

John

Western

Toad adult frog 2 6/14/2009 5150756 482173 Negative

Alpowa

Pacific

Treefrog adult frog 5 6/14/2009 5140183 483911 Negative

Alpowa Bullfrog adult frog 1 6/14/2009 5140183 483911 Negative

USACE Lower Snake River HMUS Herpetofaunal surveys, 2008 Interim Report


Table 6. Checklist of reptiles and amphibians detected at HMUs surveyed in 2009, all methods combined.

Tricties-managed HMUs Clarkston-managed HMUs

Species Detections

(2009)

Toothacre Yakima

Delta

Richland

Bend

Hood Park Riparia John

Henley

Nisqually

John Cyn

Alpowa

Creek

Chief

Timothy

Othera

Long-toed

Salamander 158 1 5 143 9 175

Great Basin

Spadefoot 24 18 3 3 0

Western Toad 3 3 1

Woodhouse's

Toad 36 31 5 0

Pacific

Treefrog 402 237 21 139 266

American

Bullfrog 1256 396 312 76 401 1 26 1 43 73

Painted Turtle 2 2 1

Western

Skink 3 2 1 1

Western

Yellow-

bellied Racer

6 1 1 4 8

Gopher Snake 11 1 1 4 2 1 12

Common

Garter Snake 2 1 1 0

Terrestrial

Garter Snake 8 1 1 3 1 1 1 1

Thamnophis

sp. 1 1 0

Night Snake 1 1 0

Northern

Pacific

Rattlesnake

34 4 3 15 12 23

Species

confirmed 14 6 7 2 3 6 8 8 4 1

a Please refer to Section 6.6 detailing detections at other Clarkston-managed HMUs.



4.0 DISCUSSION

4.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES

The 2009 surveys of Lower Snake River HMUs built on those conducted in 2008 by the MWFB in the

Tricities area (Franklin and Walla Walla Counties) (Alminas et al. 2009). Overall effort in 2009 was

slightly less (by 31 hours) and the survey period was one month shorter in 2009 (4 months rather than 5

in 2008). The 2009 surveys resulted in detections of 4 additional species at Clarkston-managed HMUs

between Lower Monumental and Lower Granite pools not observed at HMUs surveyed in the Tricities

area in 2008 (Great Basin Spadefoot, Western Toad, Common Garter Snake and Night Snake).

However, Rubber Boa (Charina bottae), a species detected through the positive identification of a

snakeskin molt at 55-Mile HMU in the Lower Monumental pool in 2008, was not observed during

2009 surveys.

Asherin and Claar (1976) found 9 species of reptiles and amphibians along the northeastern

portion of the McNary pool (Segment 8: Woodhouse’s Toad, Bullfrog, Painted Turtle, Sagebrush

Lizard, Common side-blotched Lizard, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Gopher Snake, Terrestrial

Garter Snake, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake), 4 species of reptiles and amphibians at sites surveyed

within the Ice Harbor Pool (Segment 7: Woodhouse’s Toad, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Northern

Pacific Rattlesnake and Great Basin Gopher Snake), and detected 9 species within the Lower

Monumental and Little Goose pools (Segment 6: Pacific Treefrog, Bullfrog, Columbia Spotted Frog,

Great Basin Spadefoot, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Gopher Snake,

Wandering Garter Snake and Valley Garter Snake).

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

McNary Ice Harbor Lower

Monumental

Little Goose Lower Granite

Sp

ecie

s ri

chn

ess

Asherin & Claar (1976) Loper & Lohman (1998) UC Davis (2008) UC Davis (2009)

Figure 3. Comparison of species richness by pool from previous surveys, 1976 – 2009.

Figure 3 depicts the number of species found in each pool by previous and current inventories. All 9

species depicted in the Lower Monumental pool in Figure 3 are representative of Segment 6 (which

merged findings from Lower Monumental and Little Goose pools together) described by Asherin and

Claar (1976). Our survey efforts in the Ice Harbor pool exceeded the species richness found by

previous research. Loper and Lohman (1998) did not conduct any surveys for herptiles in the McNary

pool, whereas Asherin and Claar (1976) had found 9 species at five sites (described above). Our

surveys at a single site in the McNary pool (Villard Ponds) in 2008 yielded detections of 6 species, and

additional surveys in the McNary pool at 4 other HMUs added confirmation of 4 species, for a total of

10 species known from our surveys in the McNary Pool. Two species in the McNary pool (Sagebrush

Lizard and Common Side-blotched Lizard) not found by our surveys were found at sites near the



confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers (Asherin and Claar 1976). It was unclear however

where these detections occurred. The Sagebrush and Common Side-blotched Lizards were found by

the researchers to occupy big sage (Artemisia tridentata) and rubber rabbit brush (Ericameria

nauseosa) habitats, which from the five sites described by the researchers narrow to Finley-Hover Park

(adjacent to the current Toothacre HMU) and/or Hat Rock State Park (Asherin and Claar 1976)

(Section 4.3).

The greatest number of species detected by our surveys were at Nisqually John Canyon and

John Henley HMUs (8 species) followed by Yakima Delta HMU (7 species) (Table 6). Chief Timothy

HMU in the Lower Granite pool and Richland Bend in the McNary pool showed the lowest species

richness (1 and 2 species, respectively). Surveys were conducted at Chief Timothy in 2009 to augment

those done by Loper & Lohman (1998), who detected Bullfrog, Common Garter Snake, Terrestrial

Garter Snake and Painted Turtle within this HMU. While MWFB researchers spent 3.5 hours

searching for turtles in the main pond at Chief Timothy during spring and summer 2009; none were

seen.

The Great Basin Spadefoot was not detected at any HMU

surveyed in 2008, but was found and photographed on private land

adjacent to Hollebeke HMU (Alminas et al. 2009). This species is well-

known from the Snake/ Columbia River confluence and upstream the

Snake River, as it is primarily a shrub-steppe specialist, spending most of

its adult life buried underground. Adult Great Basin Spadefoots return to

water only to breed, often using slow-moving springs, seasonal pools,

irrigation ditches to lay 10 to 40 eggs (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). This

species appears to tolerate some habitat alteration, as it is able to breed in

agricultural lands with a source of standing irrigation water. We observed

this species calling at Toothacre, Yakima Delta HMUs (McNary pool) and

John Henley HMU (Lower Monumental pool) (Sections 5.0 and 6.0).

The Night Snake is a crepuscular and nocturnal snake present

whose distribution in Washington state falls primarily within the Columbia Basin (Stebbins 2003).

Due to its nocturnal and secretive behavior, this snake can be hard to detect, and prior to research

between 2003 and 2005, only a few records existed in Washington. Between 2003 and 2005, road

cruising along state routes and other roads by Weaver (2008) yielded 121 detections of Night Snake in

8 counties, with one first county record (Douglas). Historical record

of Night Snake from the McNary National Wildlife Refuge prior to

1984 is the one closest to our study area of Tricities-managed

HMUs, and falls within a 5 mile radius of Villard Ponds HMU (WA

Herp Atlas 2005). Our surveys in 2008 at Tricities-managed HMUs

in the McNary, Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental pools did not

detect this species. Night Snake has been detected upstream the

Columbia River at Tucannon HMU by drift fence/trapping methods

in upland habitat (Loper & Lohman 1998). Our nocturnal VES

yielded a single observation of this species at John Henley HMU

(photo left) in 2009, possibly the first record of this species for

Whitman County (Section 6.0). The animal was collected and

vouchered at the MWFB.

The Common Garter Snake is the most widely distributed and one of the most common snakes in the

state of Washington (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). The subspecies in eastern Washington is the Valley

Garter Snake. Like most garter snakes, Common Garter Snakes are typically found in or near aquatic

habitats such as ponds, wetlands, springs, creeks and rivers, but will also utilize terrestrial habitats,

particularly in the spring and fall when emerging or dispersing to hibernacula sites (WA Herp Atlas

2005). While we did not detect this species at any HMU in the McNary pool during 2008 surveys, this

species has been detected upstream the Snake River at Deadman Creek, Chief Timothy and Alpowa

Great Basin Spadefoot

photographed near

Hollebeke HMU



HMUs (Loper & Lohman 1998). This species is likely more common than our surveys found them to

be, probably occurring throughout USACE-managed HMUs along the lower Snake River.

4.2 SURVEY METHOD EFFICIENCY

Unlike mammals and birds, whose presence is often conspicuous, reptiles and amphibians are

considered secretive in nature due to the difficulty in detecting their presence from chance encounters.

Single survey techniques can uncover the mammal and avian diversity within a study area; with reptiles

and amphibians, a variety of survey methods and techniques are required to detect species occupying

both aquatic and terrestrial habitats (Corn & Bury 1990, Ryan et al. 2002). Survey methods employed

for a herpetofaunal study will depend on the study objectives and goals. Studies to inventory and

determine herpetofaunal species richness typically implement only a few, well-known number of

sampling techniques, such as drift fence arrays with pitfall and/or funnel traps, Visual encounter

surveys (VES) and coverboards. These methods are considered to be primary techniques for

herpetofaunal surveying based on prevalence in literature (Hutchens and DePerno 2009). Secondary

techniques known from literature include standardized road searches, poly-vinyl chloride piping grids,

line transects and auditory surveys. Tertiary techniques include documentation of species observed

opportunistically, non-standardized road searches and the use of aquatic traps, often regarded as non-

standardized approaches (Hutchens and DePerno 2009). The use of primary techniques only may

result in underestimated species richness, depending on the geographic location, habitat and species

distribution (Hutchens and DePerno 2009). Utilization of secondary and tertiary techniques add to

species richness estimates, particularly when used in conjunction with primary techniques. For

inventorying purposes, a variety of methods, combined with site visits during favorable weather

conditions are necessary to document as many species as possible at a site. Owing to the nature of our

short-term, seasonal surveys at HMUs along the Lower Snake River, the use of drift fence arrays was

not feasible, and we focused on implementing more secondary and tertiary survey techniques to

attempt to detect more species in less time. We utilized eight survey techniques in 2008 and 2009, and

switched from the use of coverboards in 2008 to funnel traps in 2009. Only six of the 14 species

detected by surveys in 2009 in the Tricites and Clarkston-managed HMUs were found by the use of a

primary technique (VES); the use of this single technique would’ve thus resulted in a species richness

underestimated by 57%. Hutchens and DePerno (2009) classified species detected by only one or two

survey techniques as “unique species,” which were found to augment total species richness by 38-85%.

Of the 14 species detected by surveys in 2009 in the Tricites and Clarkston-managed HMUs, 43% were

considered unique species; of these, 5 (83%) were detected by secondary, tertiary or unconventional

techniques. Thus, the results from surveys in 2008 and 2009 show that certain methods vary in their

success of detecting species, even those within the same taxonomic group.

Visual Encounter Surveying (VES) is a standard and non-invasive method which allows

researchers the flexibility to search a variety of habitats. In general, the flexible nature of VES makes

them difficult to replicate in future efforts, and analyses based on this method will often not provide

sufficient quantitative data on population size and structure or life history traits (Mitchell 2004).

Rather, the data from the VES method is more qualitative, making it an appropriate method for

inventory work (as with our objective, documenting occurrence of amphibian and reptiles within a

study area). Our VES were not area or time constrained, rather an opportunistic search of habitats

known to support certain species. During our surveys on HMUs, 7 out of 14 species were detected by

VES (Table 4).

Nocturnal VES method resulted in the detection of 5 of 14 species (Table 4). Northern Pacific

Rattlesnake was the most commonly observed species by this survey method, but was also detected by

other methods. The finding of a Night Snake by this survey method at John Henley HMU further

emphasizes the importance of inclusion of secondary and tertiary survey techniques in an inventory-

type study design.

Anuran call surveys proved to be an effective method for inventorying anuran diversity and

numbers at HMUs (Table 3). Four species were detected, with Great Basin Spadefoot as the only



anuran observed by this method alone (unique species). Pacific Treefrog, Woodhouse’s Toad, and

American Bullfrogs were also observed by this survey technique.

A total of 39.57 researcher hours were spent surveying bodies of water with dipnets in 2009,

with 20.30 surveyor hours spent to target Northern Leopard Frog tadpoles or juveniles at HMUs within

or adjacent to historical known locations in the McNary pool (Table 3, Section 4.5). While no species

was found by this method alone, it did result in the detection of American Bullfrog, Woodhouse’s

Toad, Pacific Treefrog as well as Long-toed Salamander and Western Toad in native wetland and

riparian habitats at select Clarkston-managed HMUs (Section 6.0).

From the time Long-toed Salamanders were first detected breeding in gallinaceous guzzlers at 55-Mile

HMU in April 2008, we subsequently surveyed guzzlers in Ice Harbor pool and in 2009, Lower

Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite pools (Table 7). No other amphibian species was found

to use these guzzlers for breeding.

The method of collecting snakeskin molts and turtle shells proved to be a effective one in

2008– of the 30 snake molts and turtle carapace collected, 23 were identifiable to species (Table 4,

Appendix B). Snakeskin molt collection began in June 2008 when MWFB researchers first started to

see them and through the summer with 77% of the molts being encountered in September 2008,

presumably after snakes had bred and were preparing for hibernation. In 2009, only 9 were found at

Clarkston-managed HMUs between June and August (none at Tricities HMUs in the McNary pool),

when the survey season ended, perhaps out of the ideal time period for collection of snakeskin molts.

Three additional molts were found incidentally during small mammal trapping efforts in September

2009 at Clarkston-managed HMUs. Positive identification of the snake molts was made by Robert

Thomson and Levi Gray at the Shaffer Lab (Dept. of Evolution and Ecology, UC Davis). This method

yielded the detection of 3 species. Rubber boa at 55- Mile HMU in the Lower Monumental pool in

2008 represents a unique species found by this survey method.

The artificial cover objects (coverboards) implemented at 6 HMUs in 2008 were found to be

the least successful for species detection after nocturnal VES (3 species were found to use them, all

which were also detected by other methods) (Alminas et al. 2009). While coverboards are a primary

technique for surveying for herptiles, it is a technique best suited for frequent and repeated researcher

visits. In 2009, funnel traps were used instead of coverboards to augment surveys. Funnel traps were

effective in catching anurans and garter snakes (Table 4). Terrestrial and Common Garter snakes,

while widespread and locally common elsewhere in their ranges appear to be present in low numbers

along the lower Snake River HMUs. Six Terrestrial Garter Snakes were captured at 5 HMUs in funnel

traps; 4 of these detections only occurred through funnel trapping.

4.3 GALLINACEOUS GUZZLER USE BY LONG-TOED SALAMANDERS

One of the more interesting finds from this project was the

use of guzzlers by Long-toed Salamanders. In 2008, we

discovered populations at Skookum HMU. After this

discovery, we initiated a search of 19 guzzlers down river of

Skookum including 55-Mile, Hollebeke, Lost Island and Big

Flat HMUs in Ice Harbor and western Lower Monumental

pools. None were found downriver of Skookum. In 2009, we

developed a sampling protocol to assess the use of guzzler s

along the Snake River from Skookum HMU, east of the Idaho

Border. In 2009, we sampled an additional 36 gallinaceous

guzzlers at HMUs in eastern Lower Monumental upstream

through Little Goose and Lower Granite pools, for a total of

56 guzzlers surveyed along the lower Snake River HMUs. We

detected Long-toed Salamanders on nine HMUs spanning the

Lower Snake River (Table 7, Figure 5). During the 2009

season we also detected salamanders in natural wetlands and

All life stages of Long-toed Salamanders

were found in guzzlers. Photos above

are of egg, larvae, and adults all sampled

from HMU guzzlers.



streams on several HMUs. We found all life stages of salamanders in the guzzlers indicating breeding

at all HMUs detected. We can find no documentation of the use of guzzlers by salamanders in

Washington prior to this study. Habitat associations for guzzlers within approximately 20 meters of the

guzzlers are described in Figure 4 and a map of long-toed salamander distribution based findings from

2008 and 2009 surveys is displayed in Figure 5. Salamanders seem to preferentially seek guzzlers in

irrigated areas (usually dominated by Russian Olive as a canopy tree and an understory of dense

grasses). Grasslands in general are also widely used (Figure 4). Use of guzzlers on a single HMU was

not uniform. For example at Skookum, 50% of the guzzlers were used, those being in irrigated

patches. Of the six guzzlers sampled at Swift Bar, only one was used. We believe that the guzzler

units have afforded the dispersal of Long-toed Salamanders along the Snake River. This species has

gone virtually undetected along the lower Snake River prior to these studies

Table 7. Summary of gallinaceous guzzler surveys, 2008 - 2009

No. guzzlers

HMU in HMU surveyed detected

AMMA dates surveyed

No. AMMA

detected

Ice Harbor pool

Big Flat 5 5 0 5/13/2008 0

Lost Island 2 2 0 5/15/2008 0

Hollebeke 3 3 0 5/17, 6/29/2008 0

Lower Monumental pool

Skookum 6 6 3 4/16/2008 58

55-Mile 3 3 3 4/15/2008 110

Lyon's Ferry 5 5 0 5/7/2009 0

Tucannon 4 1 1 6/16/2009 4

John Henley 4 4 0 5/6, 5/15/2009 0

Little Goose pool

Ridpath 1 1 0 4/23/2009 0

Dry Gulch 1 1 1 6/5/2009 2

New York Bar 3 3 3 4/23/2009 59

Swift Bar 6 6 1 4/23/2009 18

Illia Dunes 2 2 1 6/8/2009 2

Lower Granite pool

Transmission Line 1 1 0 5/13/2009 0

Kelly Bar 3 3 1 5/13/2009 22

Nisqually John Canyon 6 5 1 5/11/2009 39

Hell's Gate 5 4 0 4/25/2009 0

AMMA = Long-toed Salamander

Figure 4. Habitat associations within 20 meters of gallinaeous guzzlers surveyed in 2008 and 2009. Left: Habitat

associations of guzzlers where no Long-toed Salamanders were found (n=40); Right: Habitat associations of guzzlers

where Long-ted Salamanders were detected (n=15).

13%

7%

13%

13%

47%

7%

Bunchgrass

Grass, blackberry edge

Grassland slope adjacent

to riparian

Grass-filled depression;

moist

Irrigated Russian Olive/

grass patch

Shrub-steppe

5%

49%

20%

3%

20%

3%

Grass, blackberry edge

Grassland slope

Irrigated Russian Olive/

grass patch

Locust sp. grassland

Shrub-steppe

Sand dune



Figure 5. Long-toed Salamander detections, Lower Snake River



4.4 TOAD (BUFO SP.) DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE LOWER SNAKE RIVER

The Western Toad occurs widely in the Pacific states as well as portions of Montana, Idaho, Nevada

and other areas of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains (Stebbins 2003). The Boreal Toad is the

subspecies in Washington state, which occurs in most of the state excluding the Columbia Basin

(Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). The distribution of Woodhouse’s Toad in Washington is limited to the

lower Snake River and the vicinity of the Columbia River at its confluence with the Snake. Asherin

and Claar (1976) describe the Western Toad as occurring commonly only along the middle Snake

River, particularly in Hell’s Canyon. They do note that Western Toads did not seem to overlap in

range with Woodhouse’s Toads (Asherin and Claar, 1976). Examination of distributional records for

the state of Washington indicate this isn’t so; Woodhouses’s Toads are known to occur from records

pre-dating 1984 as far upstream as bordering southeastern Whitman County (north of Garfield) along

the lower Snake River (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). Recent records for Woodhouse’s Toad exist

from the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, as well as upstream in southern Grant County

and downstream bordering Benton and Klickitat Counties to the south with Oregon (Washington Herp

Atlas, 2005). Conversely, Western Toads are known from records radiating from the Blue Mountains

as far west as northwestern Columbia County (Washington Herp Atlas, 2005). Detections of toads in

2008 and 2009 are mapped with those described by Loper and Lohman (1998) in Figure 6. We found

Western Toads in areas previously recorded, however we confirmed the presence of Woodhouse’s

Toad at locations which may been previously unrecorded (Figure 6). It should be noted that a road

killed, desiccated specimen of Bufo sp. was collected on June 2, 2009 along Wawawai Road in

Whitman County, located at 482477 Easting, 5149364 Northing (zone 11 N) approximately 0.85 miles

south of the bottom of Nisqually John Canyon. Owing to its degraded and desiccated condition was

not fully identifiable but may be a specimen of Woodhouse’s Toad from this stretch of Snake River in

the Lower Granite pool. Further surveys should be conducted within slow-moving and fishless water

bodies along the potential zone of overlap in these species’ occurrence, which likely occurs between

the upstream end of the Lower Monumental pool through the Lower Granite pool.

4.5 LACK OF LIZARDS

Out of the possible 4 species of lizard for the study area, we found only one species, the Western Skink

during 2008 and 2009 surveys. An individual skink was observed at 55-Mile HMU in July 2008.

During 2009 surveys, two were observed at John Henley HMU in the Lower Monumental pool and one

at Nisqually John Canyon. A skink was also observed incidentally during small mammal trapping

efforts at Nisqually John Canyon HMU in August 2008.

Three other species’ distributions show records for the Snake/ Columbia River confluence: Common

Side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporous graciosus), and Pigmy Short-

horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii). These species are known to occupy open shrub-steppe and

sandy habitat comprised of rubber rabbit brush and big sagebrush, much of which has been developed

for agriculture or urban use in areas surrounding Tri-Cities and is heavily degraded at most HMUs.

Records for Common Side-blotched Lizard from the Snake/ Columbia confluence date prior to 1984;

recent records are reported further upstream the Columbia River from north Benton and south Grant

counties (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). This species relies on shrub-steppe, sandy or rocky areas, with

shrubs for evading predators and extreme temperatures (WA Herp Atlas, 2005; Stebbins 2003).

Historical accounts for Sagebrush Lizard show a similar distribution, with records prior to 1984 in the

Snake/ Columbia Rivers confluence and more recent records in Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area

(Franklin Co.), north Benton and south Grant counties (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). The Sagebrush Lizard

is seemingly more of a habitat specialist, with the most recent records for the state of Washington

linked with sand dunes or other sandy habitats (WA Herp Atlas 2005). The third potential lizard

species is the Pigmy Short-horned lizard, whose distribution



Figure 6. Toad (Bufo sp.) distribution at HMUSs of the lower Snake River study area



(because of its habits) is similar to that of the Sagebrush lizard.

Both Sagebrush and Pigmy Short-horned lizards were detected

during visits to Juniper Dunes Wilderness in April 2006 and May

2008 to check the season of emergence and identification for

known populations of these two species. A fourth potential

species, the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporous occidentalis)

shows a distribution in Washington in the Cascades and Puget

Sound regions, with records from the Blue Mountains and other

extralimital records in the Columbia Basin. Asherin and Claar

(1976) described this species as suspected for the entire Lower

Snake River, with known detections upstream the Snake River

from Clarkston in the reach between its confluence with the

Clearwater and Salmon Rivers (described as Segment 4, Asherin

and Claar [1976]). We did not find this species on any HMU

surveyed between 2008 and 2009.

Out of the HMUs surveyed in 2008, 55-Mile and

Hollebeke HMUs supported potential habitat for the Sagebrush,

Common Side-blotched and Pygmy Short-horned lizard species.

We extensively surveyed an acre-sized patch of open sand dunes

at 55-Mile for lizards; none were found. This negative finding is

unsurprising due to the small size of appropriate habitat combined

with the fact that the closest distributional record for either of the

three species is Juniper Dunes Wilderness (Pigmy Short-horned

Lizard and Sagebrush Lizard) (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). At

Hollebeke HMU, we specifically surveyed within 11 acres of big sagebrush and sandy habitat to detect

these lizard species and did not find a single one. A possible explanation for Hollebeke’s lack of

lizards may lie in the fact that much of the big sagebrush habitat had dense groundcover of cheatgrass

(Bromus tectorum), and this groundcover hinders lizard movements, who prefer open ground for

tracking prey and evading predators (WA Herp Atlas 2005; Green et al. 2001).

Out of the 9 HMUs surveyed in 2008, those occurring within historical range and supported

potential habitat for these species were Toothacre and Yakima Delta HMUs. MWFB researchers spent

approximately 13.2 hours in spring and summer 2009 conducting diurnal and evening VES at

Toothacre HMU targeting lizards, and were conducted at varying times of day to maximize lizard

detections. Surveys were conducted in habitats described by Asherin and Claar (1976) in sagebrush,

shrub steppe, bunchgrass habitats with and without sandy bare areas in the northern and southern

portions of Toothacre HMU, adjacent to areas known to harbor lizards according to Asherin and Claar

(1976). Likewise, MWFB researchers conducted 17.4 hours of VES in spring and summer 2009 at

Yakima Delta HMU in big sagebrush and other shrub-steppe habitats to target lizards. No lizards were

found by any search method at these HMU. They may still exist in the HMU and surrounding areas in

small patches in suitable, undisturbed habitat in this part of their former range.

4.6 OTHER SPECIES NOT DETECTED

Due to their ectothermic abilities, weather and climate dictate the movements and life history of

amphibians and reptiles significantly more than for birds and mammals. A complete inventory of

amphibians and reptiles can be a challenge for short-term surveys due to a number of climatic

conditions, such as lower than average rainfall, extreme temperatures or flooding (Mitchell 2004).

Therefore, our site visits of 1 to 12 days per month between April through August 2009 may have

missed certain weather patterns crucial to the detection of certain species. Nonetheless, the inventory

effort of this project is significant, exceeding in survey methodology and scope of previous efforts, and

fulfills the purpose of establishing baseline data for the lower Snake River HMUs from Benton County

in the west upstream to Whitman and Asotin Counties in the east.

Sagebrush Lizard (2008) and

Horned Lizard (2006) found at the

Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area by

MWFB biologists. Neither were

found on HMUs during the study.



Tiger Salamander

Though Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) shows distributional records at the Snake and

Columbia River confluence predating 1984 (Washington Herp Atlas 2005). A total of 20.3 surveyor

hours were spent dipnetting in ponds, wetlands and other water bodies at Toothacre, Yakima Delta and

Hood Park HMUs in spring and summer 2009. We did not detect this species at these HMUs nor at

Villard Ponds (surveyed in 2008), which lie in the vicinity of two 1962 records from Burbank (WA

Herp Atlas, 2005; L. Salzer, pers. comm.).

Columbia Spotted Frog

Historical records for Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris) show presence approximately 15

miles upstream of Tucannon HMU, in the vicinity of the Tucannon River (approx 1000’ elevation)

(WA Herp Atlas 2005; WA Gap Analysis). While species accounts did not specify where the

Columbia Spotted Frog was found, Asherin & Claar (1976) did describe the detection in willow

habitat, which from the described survey transects narrows the finding down to Meadow Creek, Riparia

or Tucannon River (Asherin & Claar 1976). The seasonally flooded impoundment off the Tucannon

River along the HMU road within Tucannon HMU surveyed by dipnet/aquatic surveys in June 2009

did not yield detections of this species. The Lower Snake River may have provided seasonal flows and

ponded habitats for this species historically prior to dam construction.

Northern Leopard Frog

Similar to Tiger Salamander, we did not detect at any HMU the state endangered Northern Leopard

Frog (Rana pipiens), whose historical records fall within the Tri-Cities and the Snake/ Columbia River

confluence and upstream the Columbia River (Benton county) (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). A single record

from 1941 falls right within Yakima Delta HMU, indicating their historical presence within our study

area (L. Salzer, pers. comm.). We conducted 10.55 hours of anuran call/ eyeshine surveys at Yakima

Delta HMU in spring in summer 2009 to target Northern Leopard Frog in this historical location. None

were heard during our surveys; in the southeastern corner of the HMU, large numbers of Pacific

Treefrogs and Bullfrogs dominated the nighttime chorus). An additional 19.24 hours of anuran call/

eyeshine surveys were conducted at Toothacre, Hood Park and Richland Bend HMUs to listen for the

Northern Leopard Frog, with no detections of this species. In spring and summer 2008, we spent 17.9

hours in listening for calling anurans at Villard Ponds HMU, a site adjacent to historical Northern

Leopard Frog records; none were detected. Thus 47.69 surveyor hours of anuran call/ eyeshine surveys

were conducted between April and August 2008 and 2009 at HMUs surrounding the confluence of the

Snake and Columbia areas at sites previously known to support Northern Leopard Frogs. These

negative findings build on those compiled by McAllister et al. (1999); surveys conducted west of

Kennewick in April 1992, near Burbank in 1996 and south of the confluence of the Walla Walla and

Columbia Rivers in September 1994 failed to detect Northern Leopard Frogs in these historical known

locations.

Ring-neck snake

Due to its secretive nature, records for Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) in Washington are

scarce. They seem to prefer moist habitats, and in other states can be found under rotting logs, stones,

stumps and other debris within forested or other woodland habitats (particularly in late winter and early

spring). Their distribution in the Columbia Basin is limited to a handful of pre-1984 records in

southeastern Whitman County, drainages south of Pullman and surrounding the Snake River Basin, and

Hell’s Canyon (WA Herp Atlas 2005). A record from 1975 from the McNary National Wildlife

Refuge (Walla Walla Co.) falls within approximately 5 miles from Villard Ponds HMU (WA Herp

Atlas, 2005). Nisqually John Canyon appeared to be the HMU most likely to support this species. As

such, approximately 20.74 diurnal, evening and nocturnal VES surveyor hours were spent at Nisqually

John Canyon HMU searching for this and other species in riparian, brushy edge and other habitats;

none were detected during the course of the survey season.



Striped Whipsnake

The Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) utilizes a variety of habitats including sagebrush and

shrublands, grasslands, canyons, piñon-juniper and pine woodlands and occasionally seasonal or

permanent creeks or streams (Stebbins 2003). Records of Striped Whipsnake in the Columbia basin are

not numerous, with detections from intact shrub-steppe habitat with some cheatgrass (Bromus

tectorum) groundcover (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). The closest records of this species are from upstream

along the Snake River, in the eastern middle portion of Benton County, with more records from

southeastern Grant County near the Columbia River (WA Herp Atlas 2005). While our study area is

somewhat beyond the range depicted by historical records, we conducted approximately 57.44 surveyor

hours of diurnal and nocturnal VES surveys at Tricities-managed HMUs in 2009 (Yakima Delta,

Toothacre, Hood Park and Richland Bend); none were detected by our efforts.

Red-eared slider

A species not listed in Appendix A but one which is always a possibility is the Red-eared Slider

(Trachemys scripta), an aquatic turtle species popular in the pet trade. It is native to the Midwest and

southern U.S. but populations of this species have sprung up all over western states due to release from

captivity into the wild. In Washington state, populations of Red-eared Sliders are known from Puget

Sound and surrounding waterways to the east; Sliders are also reported from the lower Columbia River

at the south end of Klickitat county (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). More undocumented populations of this

species undoubtedly exist in Washington state. None were observed by our surveys at Tricities and

Clarkston-managed HMUs in 2009, however, their presence should not be precluded.

4.7 AMPHIBIAN CHYTRID FUNGUS

The chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) (Bd) is the only known chytrid fungus to have

jumped to vertebrate hosts. Bd causes the disease chytridiomycosis in anurans (frogs) and caudates

(salamanders); it is responsible for declines and extinctions of some species on every amphibian-

inhabited continent (Skerratt et al. 2008). The fungus spreads through waterways, amphibian-to-

amphibian contact, and other mechanisms not yet understood. Bd is especially virulent at temperatures

between 17º and 25º C (63º to 77º F) (Skerratt et al. 2008). The mechanism that causes mortality in

amphibians is not yet fully understood but is believed to hinder respiratory functions through the skin

and alter blood solute concentrations (Brem et al. 2007). In tadpoles, Bd affects the keratin in the

mouthparts and in adults, the fungus imbeds itself in layers of the skin. With this in mind, MWFB

researchers took precautions to disinfect all equipment with a disinfectant or10% bleach solution before

moving to another site (Section 2.2).

In Washington, Bd has been confirmed along the Columbia River, and in Kittitas, Klickitat,

Grant, Spokane and Yakima counties in a variety of amphibian species (G. Pagdett-Flohr, D. Olson, J.

Lowe, pers. comm.). Information regarding Bd prevalence from our study area along the Snake/

Columbia River confluence and lower Snake River is lacking (D. Olson, pers. comm.). It is especially

important to educate the public about this disease because the Columbia and Snake River confluence

(general locations of high human traffic - Villard Ponds, Richland Bend, Yakima Delta, Hood Park

HMUs) have historically supported the state endangered Northern Leopard Frog. The historical

records for Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) fall within the Tri-Cities and the Snake/ Columbia

River confluence and upstream the Columbia River (Benton county) (WA Herp Atlas, 2005).

Confirming the presence of the chytrid fungus in Bullfrogs in two ponds at Toothacre HMU

(Ponds 2 and 4, see Figure 7) within the historical range of Northern Leopard Frog at the Snake/

Columbia River confluence could provide one explanation for its decline in this area (Table 5, Section

3.2). However, swabs from one juvenile and one metamorph from one of the positive ponds tested

negative. These two ponds are flanked on the western side by an active railroad, and on the east may

have nexus (perhaps seasonally) to the Lower Snake River. Interestingly enough, Bullfrogs from the

ponds on the opposite side of the railroad tracks tested negative for the fungus (there is connectivity

under the railroad via a culvert, but the water flows west to east towards the Snake River). The

tadpoles which tested negative were found dead in these ponds. The furthermost south pond was



stagnant and appeared anoxic. Further studies regarding amphibian chytridiomycosis in the lower

Snake River region are needed to better understand the spread and rate of infection in this area.

MWFB Field Crew at Work



5.0 TRICITIES-MANAGED HMUs

From April through August 2009, we spent 107.52 hours conducting a total of 166 surveys and 215

funnel trap-nights or trap-days. We confirmed 11 species of reptiles and amphibians between the four

Tricities-managed HMUs (4 amphibian and 7 reptile), with an average species richness of 4.5 species

per site. A total of 1,495 animals were captured or detected during this inventory (from all survey

methods combined), including 1,479 amphibians (0 salamanders, all frogs) and 16 reptiles (2 turtles, 0

lizards, 14 snakes). These totals include all captured or observed adult amphibians and reptiles as well

as frog tadpoles. While the VES method yielded the greatest species richness in detections, the

majority of detections occurred through anuran call/ eyeshine surveys, mainly owing to the dense

populations of American Bullfrogs at the four HMUs surveyed (Table 9). Anuran call/ eyeshine

surveys yielded detections of 5 species (including a rattlesnake at Toothacre HMU) as well as the most

productive detection rate of all methods (Table 9). Aquatic funnel trapping proved to be successful,

yielded detections of 4 species, while terrestrial funnel trapping did not yield any captures (Table 9).

No snakeskin molts were collected from Tricities HMUs in 2009.

Of the projected 21 species for the Tricites study area (confluence of Snake and Columbia

Rivers), we detected 11 species (Table 6). The site with the most number of species detected Yakima

Delta HMU (7 species) and the fewest were found at Richland Bend HMU (2 species). The most

abundant herptile species and amphibian was the American Bullfrog, which were found at all HMUs

surveyed in the Tricities area (McNary pool). The most abundant reptile and snake was the Western

Terrestrial Garter Snake, whose presence was detected at 3 HMUs through five detections (Table 6).

Abundances of snakes in general were low; only 16 were observed during the survey season. Pacific

Treefrogs were the second most common amphibian, though only detected at Yakima Delta HMU

(Table 6). Great Basin Spadefoot was detected for the first time in the McNary pool by our survey

efforts, in low numbers at Yakima Delta and slightly higher numbers at Toothacre HMUs (Table 6).

Two Painted Turtles were observed at Yakima Delta at the start of the survey season. No skinks or

lizard species were observed at any HMU in the Tricities region during the 2009 or 2008 survey

season. The most widely distributed species was the American Bullfrog, which was detected at all 4

HMUs and the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, which was found at 3 HMUs. No state sensitive

species were detected during the 2009 inventory period.

Table 8. Summary of effort and results by method, Tricities sites.


(hours)

Number of

detections

Individual

detection rate RA

Species

richness

Visual encounter surveys

(n=59) 40.67 hr 321 1/ 76.26 minutes 0.79

2 5

Nocturnal VES and road

searches (n=26) 16.77 hr 11 1/ 91.47 minutes 0.662 3

Anuran call surveys (n=64) 29.78 hr 865 1/2.07 minutes 29.042 5

Dipnet surveys (n=17) 20.30 hr 106 1/11.49 minutes 5.222 3

Aquatic funnel trapping 168 TN 61

23.2% trap

captures 36.313 4

Terrestrial funnel trapping 47 TN 0 0% trap captures 03 0

Incidental detections -- 5 -- 4 1 denotes individuals heard or seen during VES. 2 Relative abundance = No. individuals detected/ hour surveyed 3 Relative abundance = No. individuals captured/ 100 trap-nights



5.1 TOOTHACRE HMU

Methods summary

Surveys at Toothacre HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical

distribution habitats with potential to harbor these species. These included Tiger Salamander, Northern

Leopard Frog, Sagebrush Lizard, Common Side-blotched Lizard and Pygmy Short-horned Lizard.

Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (8.27 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions

(15.80 hours), 16.05 hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a pooled 155 funnel trap

nights and days. Between two and 5 days per month from April through August were spent conducting

surveys at Toothacre HMU in 2009 (Table 9).

Habitats

General habitats of Toothacre HMU include sandy areas with native bunchgrasses (particularly in the

northwestern corner of the HMU), open shoreline/ emergent vegetation, Russian Olive woodland with

annual grass understory, intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) and other native and non-

native bunchgrasses, pond/ wetland habitat, and basalt rock ground outcrops in open grassland habitat.

Ponds in Toothacre HMU were labeled for ease of reference (Figure 7).

Results

A total of 6 confirmed species were found within Toothacre HMU during 2009 surveys (Table 6,

Appendix C). Interestingly, no Pacific Treefrogs were detected at Toothacre HMU during 2009

surveys, while they were very common in areas at Yakima Delta HMU (Section 5.2) and were

observed at Villard Ponds in 2008. Toothacre HMU was the only HMU surveyed in 2009 which did

not yield detections of any garter snakes, despite repeated funnel trapping (both aquatically and

terrestrially), a method which proved to be effective at Hood Park and Richland Bend HMUs. They

likely inhabit Toothacre HMU but were not observed during our surveys. Species detections are

mapped in Figure 7.

GREAT BASIN SPADEFOOT

On 12 June 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey from the railroad tracks overlooking Pond 3,

MWFB researchers detected Great Basin Spadefoots calling at a far distance from the far western end

of the pond. The number of individuals calling were difficult to count, as there was no overlap in calls

of the chorus, but were estimated at 15 individuals. Subsequent listening on the west side of the pond

yielded no auditory observation of Spadefoots. Spadefoots were confirmed, however, just out of the

HMU calling from a wet grass field and also from a cattle pond on private land (Figure 7). Three

individuals were heard at this location. A total of 18 individuals were detected at or in the vicinity of

Toothacre HMU during 2009 surveys.

Table 9. Dates of Toothacre HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009

Month Date Survey types

April 29, 30 Anuran call/ eyeshine; Dipnet/ aquatic surveys

May 12, 18, 20, 21 Incidental; Anuran call/ eyeshine; VES; Dipnet/ aquatic

June 12, 13 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic

July 22, 23, 24 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic

August 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine



WOODHOUSE’S TOAD

Woodhouse’s toads were first heard calling from the large inlet area in the north end of the HMU from

the water diversion structure where the canal enters the HMU (Pond 5, Figure 7). Six were heard

calling in this location on 18 May 2009. A toad was dipnetted along this same water body on 20 May

2009. On 12 June 2009, a small group of approximately 15 toad tadpoles was found during a dipnet

survey in Pond 3 on the west side of the railroad tracks in the middle of the HMU. Later that night, one

Woodhouse’s toad was heard calling from this same pond, as well as from the canal at the north end of

the HMU (Pond 6, Figure 7). On August 10, 2009 a single toadlet was captured in an aquatic funnel

trap in Pond 3. A total of 31 individuals were detected at or in the vicinity of Toothacre HMU during

2009 surveys, and were found along shoreline of river inlet (Pond 5), wetland and canal (Pond 6)

habitat.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

Bullfrogs were first observed on April 29, 2009 during an anuran call/

eyeshine survey, when the eyeshine of approximately 20 bullfrogs was

observed in Pond 4, though none were calling yet (Figure 7). Bullfrogs

were first heard chorusing on May 18, 2009 at Pond 2 on the eastern side

of the railroad tracks. During a dipnet/aquatic survey on June 12, 2009, a

large egg mass was found in Pond 3, laid in a large sheet approximately

16 square feet in size (Figure 7). This species was ubiquitous throughout

the water bodies at Toothacre HMU along pond, canal, shoreline of inlet

and wetland edges, with at least 396 counted during 2009 surveys (plus

many more).

WESTERN YELLOW-BELLIED RACER

A single detection of Racer occurred on May 12, 2009 by incidental observation of a road killed

individual on Meals Road and surrounded by Russian olive/ grassland habitat.

GREAT BASIN GOPHER SNAKE

A single detection of Gopher Snake occurred on July 22, 2009 during a nocturnal VES (road cruise)

along Preit Road headed from the HMU boundary towards other habitats. Surrounding habitat of the

detection was Russian olive/ grassland.

NORTHERN PACIFIC RATTLESNAKE

Rattlesnakes eluded MWFB researchers during the 2009 survey season at Toothacre HMU until July

22, 2009, when four rattlesnakes were observed during evening hours. Three detections occurred

during nocturnal VES and one was encountered along the railroad tracks during an anuran call/

eyeshine survey. Two rattlesnakes were observed within shrub-steppe habitat (with scattered

rabbitbrush and annual grasses) while a third was encountered within the rock “quarry”, all within the

southern portion of the HMU (Figure 7).



Figure 7. Toothacre HMU herp species detections, 2009



5.2 YAKIMA DELTA HMU

Methods

Surveys at Yakima Delta HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical

distribution habitats with potential to harbor these species. These included Northern Leopard Frog,

Tiger Salamander, Sagebrush Lizard, Common Side-blotched Lizard and Pigmy Short-horned Lizard.

Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (10.55 hours), dipnet/ aquatic

sessions (1.16 hours), 27.28 hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and 15 aquatic funnel trap

nights and days. Between one and 6 days per month from April through August were spent conducting

surveys at Toothacre HMU in 2009 (Table 10). Additional anuran call/ eyeshine surveys were

conducted along the inlet areas of the Yakima River at the Chamna Preserve, located on the north shore

of the Yakima River across from the main HMU.

Habitats

General habitats of Yakima Delta HMU include sandy areas with big sagebrush, particularly in the

middle portions of the HMU), open shoreline of the Yakima River with native riparian, Russian Olive

woodland with annual grass understory interspersed with native riparian tree species, and pond/

wetland emergent habitat resulting from channelized flow from the Columbia and Yakima Rivers.

Ponds in Yakima Delta HMU were labeled for ease of reference (Figure 8).

Results

A total of 7 species were found within the Yakima Delta HMU during 2009 surveys (Appendix D).

Woodhouse’s Toad was not observed at this HMU during 2009 surveys. Western Yellow-bellied

Racer was also not detected, but likely occurs in the HMU. Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was another

species not observed at this HMU, despite 27.28 hours of VES in a variety of habitat types. Species

detections are mapped in Figure 8.


A Spadefoot was heard calling from Pond 3 (Figure 8) on May 20, 2009 during an anuran call/

eyeshine survey. Two more were detected at Pond 4 calling during a subsequent survey (Figure 8).

Funnel trap and dipnetting efforts in these two ponds on subsequent visits did not yield additional

detections of Spadefoots.

PACIFIC TREEFROG

Pacific Treefrogs were first heard calling in full chorus from Ponds 1 and 5 on April 30, 2009 (Figure

8). At least 100 treefrogs were heard chorusing from the cattail-lined Pond 1. At Pond 2 on the east

side of the railroad tracks, at least 50 were heard chorusing during a subsequent survey. Similar

numbers were observed chorusing from Pond 4 on May 1, 2009. A single Treefrog was heard calling

from the concrete berm of the settling pond (Pond 3, Figure 8) on May 22, 2009. This species was

common in most water bodies along wetland and pond edges (with a canopy of Russian olive at Pond

Table 10. Dates of Yakima Delta HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009

Month date Survey types

April 27, 28, 29, 30 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine

May 1, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine

June 13, 14 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/

aquatic

July 23 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine

August 10, 11 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine



4) with at least 237 counted during 2009 surveys. This species was also observed calling from a inlet

off the Yakima River at the Chamna Preserve on April 28, when four individuals were heard calling

during a diurnal VES. At least 42 were heard chorusing during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey May

21, 2009 (Figure 8).

AMERICAN BULLFROG

Bullfrogs were first observed during anuran call/ eyeshine survey on May 1, 2009 through the detection

of eyeshine of a large male on the concrete berm of the settling pond (Pond 3, Figure 8). Bullfrogs

were first heard calling on June 14, 2009 from Pond 1, however presence of bullfrogs in this pond were

realized during full onset of chorusing on July 23, 2009 when 20 were heard calling from this pond.

On August 10, 2009, the eyeshine of approximately 230 young bullfrogs was observed in Pond 5 from

the elevated railroad track (Figure 8). On August 11, 2009, single bullfrogs were heard calling at Pond

4 and along the southern shore of the Yakima River (Figure 8). This species was present in most water

bodies and very common in others along wetland and pond edges (with a canopy of Russian olive at

Pond 4) with at least 312 counted during 2009 surveys.

PAINTED TURTLE

Two turtles were observed incidentally in Pond 1 on April 27, 2009

(photo right). One was observed basking on a floating tire within

tule reeds and cattail of wetland habitat, and a second turtle was

observed close by basking on raised vegetation.


An incidental detection of Gopher Snake occurred on June 13, 2009 crossing the gravel road within the

HMU just north of Columbia Park Drive. Surrounding habitat of the detection was Russian olive/

grassland.

COMMON GARTER SNAKE

During a diurnal VES on August 10, 2009, a predated Common Garter Snake was found along the edge

of the Yakima River along a grassy bar in riparian habitat.

TERRESTRIAL GARTER SNAKE

A single individual was observed on 14 June 2009,

incidentally crossing the gravel road outside the parking

lot below the highway 182 bridge. It was captured

moving out from a rockpile at the base of the highway

truss (photo right).



Figure 8. Yakima Delta HMU herp species detections, 2009



5.3 RICHLAND BEND HMU

Methods summary

Surveys at Richland Bend HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical

distribution in habitats with potential to harbor these species. These included Tiger Salamander and

Northern Leopard Frog. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (4.50

hours), 10.09 hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a pooled 28 funnel trap nights and

days. No dipnet/ aquatic sessions were conducted at this HMU, though hours were spent in the ponds

at the southern end of the HMU setting and checking funnel traps. Between one and four days per

month from May through August were spent conducting surveys at Richland Bend HMU in 2009

(Table 11).

Habitats

General habitats of Richland Bend HMU consist mainly of native riparian vegetation in black

cottonwood (Populus balsamifera) and non-native poplar forest along the Columbia River. Fluctuating

water levels in the McNary pool have created a wetland fringe of tule and cattail. Along the southern

edge of the HMU, fluctuating water levels (combined with efforts from beavers) have created a wetland

area where these aquatic plants flourish. In the northern part of the HMU, disturbed grassland and

remnant orchards are surrounded by riparian forest.

Results

A total of 2 confirmed species were found within Richland Bend HMU during 2009 surveys (Table 6,

Appendix E). This is relatively low diversity, despite survey effort exceeding 15 hours. Other species

likely present (though not detected) include Great Basin Gopher Snake, Western Yellow-bellied Racer,

Common Garter Snake and possibly Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Species detections are mapped in

Figure 9.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

Bullfrogs were first heard calling at the southern HMU wetland pond areas on July 20, 2009, when 15

were seen or heard calling from this area during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey. Subsequent funnel

aquatic trapping in these ponds yielded multiple captures of bullfrogs, though no other species was

captured. Bullfrogs were heard calling through August, when at least 20 were heard chorusing.


A single individual was captured by funnel trap on July 20, 2009

in the southern HMU wetland pond areas (right photo).

Table 11. Dates of Richland Bend HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009

Month Date Survey types

May 1, 20, 22 Anuran call/ eyeshine

June 11 Anuran call/ eyeshine

July 20, 21, 22, 24 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine

August 12, 13 VES, Anuran call/ eyeshine



Figure 9. Richland Bend HMU herp species detections, 2009



5.4 HOOD PARK

Methods summary

Surveys at Hood Park HMU focused on targeting species known from the vicinity by historical

distribution. These included Northern Leopard Frog and Tiger Salamander. Survey effort totals were

as follows: anuran call/eyeshine surveys (6.47 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (3.3 hours), 4.02 hours

of nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and 17 aquatic funnel trap nights and days. Between one and

three days per month from April through August were spent conducting surveys at Hood Park HMU in

2009 (Table 12).

Habitats

General habitats of Hood Park HMU include a campground consisting of 69 tent and RV spaces and

paved parking and day use areas with expanses of irrigated lawn and native and ornamental tree

species. A series of connected ponds and islands in the southeastern portion of the HMU recently

underwent removal of Russian olive and planting of native species along shorelines. Another smaller

pond, unconnected to those to the north is lined with some cattail and provides more wetland-like

habitat. Other areas with Russian olive mixed with native riparian tree species persist along the edges

of these ponds. South of the day use parking, a small patch of disturbed, non-native grassland exists

adjacent to highway 12.

Results

A total of 3 confirmed species were found within Hood Park HMU during 2009 surveys (Table 6,

Appendix F). No anurans were heard calling from the two large ponds on the eastern end of the HMU

during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys. All frogs and toads heard were observed in the two western

ponds (where the footpath to the southern most pond is located). While three Terrestrial Garter Snakes

were captured in funnel traps, no Common Garter Snakes were, despite repeated aquatic funnel

trapping in the ponds. No Pacific Treefrogs were observed during 2009 surveys, possibly owing to the

large densities of Bullfrogs, which may exclude or predate on them. Other species likely present in

habitats surrounding the ponds (though not detected) include Great Basin Gopher Snake, Western

Yellow-bellied Racer, and possibly Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Species detections are mapped in

Figure 10.

WOODHOUSE’S TOAD

Woodhouse’s toads were first heard calling from the northern most pond on June 11, 2009 during an

anuran all/ eyeshine survey, when a total of 5 individuals were heard calling.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

Bullfrogs were ubiquitous in the northern and southern ponds just west of the restored area and

footpath. They were first observed during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys on April 27, 2009, when they

were spotted by eyeshine, not calling or chorusing and sitting along the edges of the ponds. Nine were

observed in the northern pond and 26 in the southern pond during this survey. Infrequent calls were

Table 12. Dates of Hood Park HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009


April 27 Anuran call/eyeshine

May 19 Anuran call/eyeshine

June 11, 13 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic

July 20, 21, 22 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine

August 12 VES, Anuran call/eyeshine



first heard from these ponds on May 19, 2009. Subsequent anuran call/ eyeshine surveys through

August indicated that Bullfrog density was much higher in the southern most pond than in the northern

most pond. On August 12, 2009, the northern pond yielded detections of 18 bullfrogs during an anuran

call/ eyeshine survey. Survey of the southern pond yielded detections of approximately 310 bullfrogs,

where many were recently metamorphosed juveniles. A possible explanation for this difference in

density may be attributed to the size differences of fish species in both ponds. It was noted that in the

northern pond, connected to the larger ponds to the east, the sizes of fish species present were larger

than those observed in the south pond. Perhaps predation of bullfrogs and bullfrog tadpoles was more

prevalent in the northern pond and not as prevalent in the southern pond, allowing for higher survival

of juvenile and larval bullfrogs and leading to higher densities.


Terrestrial Garter Snake was first detected on June 13, 2009 when two were captured in funnel traps set

aquatically, one in the northern pond and one in the southern pond (photo below). A third was

observed during a diurnal VES on August 12, 2009 resting in a patch of mowed grass within 6 feet of

the edge of the southern pond.



Figure 10. Hood Park herp species detections, 2009



5.5 SUMMARY OF 2008 AND 2009 SURVEYS

The findings of the 2009 surveys for the Tricities-managed HMUs in the McNary pool are consistent

with those from the 2008 surveys in the McNary, Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental pools. Long-toed

Salamanders were not observed at any HMUs in the McNary or Ice Harbor pools, but were recorded at

Skookum and 55-Mile HMUs in the Lower Monumental pool in 2008. Woodhouse’s Toads were

observed at 3 HMUs in the Ice Harbor Pool in 2008, and at Hood Park and Toothacre HMU during

2009 surveys. Yakima Delta in 2009 and Villard Ponds in 2008 supported the only known populations

of Pacific Treefrog at HMUs in the McNary pool. American Bullfrogs were present at all sites

surveyed in the McNary pool 2009 and 2008 (including Villard Ponds) and only at Big Flat in the Ice

Harbor pool (2008). Painted Turtles were observed at Yakima Delta HMU in 2009 and were known

from Villard Ponds from the finding of a turtle carapace in 2008. No lizards were found at any sites

surveyed in 2008 and 2009 with the exception of the detection of a Western Skink at 55-Mile HMU in

the Lower Monumental pool. Western Yellow-bellied Racers and Great Basin Gopher Snakes were

widespread in the pools surveyed in 2008, though were seemingly less common in the McNary pool

during surveys in 2009. The use of funnel traps was effective for determining presence of garter snakes

in 2009, where 3 of 4 HMUs surveyed in the McNary pool showed presence and only 1 of 6 HMUs

surveyed across 3 pools in 2008 yielded detection of garter snake (Thamnophis) sp. Northern Pacific

Rattlesnakes were found at all HMUs surveyed in 2008 in Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental pools;

surveys at 5 HMUs in the McNary pool in 2008 and 2009 yielded detection of this species only at

Toothacre HMU.

5.6 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Continue to work to eliminate Russian olive for the opportunity to restore native grassland or

riparian habitat.

2. Conduct periodic surveys at historical sites for Sagebrush Lizard, Pigmy Short-horned Lizard

and Common side-blotched Lizard at Toothacre HMU, particularly in areas with sandy soils.

3. Fence off the northern and southern portions of Toothacre HMU to prevent additional

unrestricted off-road access to shrub-steppe areas with potential to support lizard species

described above.

4. Consider posting signage at Toothacre HMU to warn fishermen or other visitors of the

presence of chytrid fungus in the area to encourage disinfection of fishing or other water

contact gear prior to moving to another site.

5. Consider managing hood park restoration ponds (south of campground) for frogs; perhaps

combined with chemical or other treatment and drying up of the ponds seasonally, eliminate

the bullfrogs there and reintroduce native leopard frogs (WA state endangered species).



6.0 CLARKSTON-MANAGED HMUS

From April through August 2009, we spent 134.16 hours conducting a total of 232 surveys and 234

funnel trap-nights or trap-days. We confirmed 12 species of reptiles and amphibians between the 5

HMUs surveyed as well as incidental detections at other HMUs (5 amphibian and 7 reptile), with an

average species richness of 5.6 species per site. A total of 1,015 animals were captured or detected

during this inventory (from all survey methods combined), including 915 amphibians (333

salamanders, 582 frogs) and 100 reptiles (1 turtle, 4 lizards, 95 snakes). These totals include all

captured or observed adult amphibians and reptiles as well as frog tadpoles and salamander larvae.

Both the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method and funnel trapping method yielded detections of 7

species each, and incidental detections were next most productive (6 species) (Table 13). The least

productive survey methods were anuran call/ eyeshine surveys and the collection and identification of

snakeskin molts, which resulted in detection of 3 species each.

Of the projected 24 species for the entire study area, we detected 12 species (Table 6). The site with

the most number of species detected by our surveys was Nisqually John Canyon HMU (9 species) and

the HMU with the fewest number of species found was Chief Timothy HMU (1 species). The most

abundant herptile species detected was the Pacific Treefrog, which were found in larval and adult

stages at Riparia, Nisqually John Canyon and Alpowa HMUs. However, the most widespread

herpetofaunal species was the Long-toed Salamander and American Bullfrog, which were each found

at 4 of the 5 HMUs surveyed (Table 6). Long-toed

Salamanders were detected in 25% of the guzzlers surveyed

in the Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite

pools (Section 4.3). The most abundant reptile and snake

was the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, comprising 53% of all

reptile detections. A Painted Turtle was observed in the

pond at the foot of Steptoe Canyon where it meets the

Columbia River (Section 6.6, Photo Right). Presence of

Western Skink was confirmed at John Henley, Nisqually

John and Kelly Bar HMUs (Seciton 6.6). Fifteen detections

of Western Yellow-bellied Racer occurred by five survey

Table 13. Summary of effort and results by method, Clarkston sites


(hours)

Number of

detections

Individual detection

rate RA

2

Species

richness

Visual encounter surveys (n=75) 52.60 hr 251 1/ 126.24 minutes 0.48 4

Nocturnal VES and road searches

(n=53) 33.77 hr 13 1/ 155.86 minutes 0.39 4

Anuran call surveys (n=36) 18.22 hr 274 1/3.99 minutes 15.04 3

Dipnet surveys (n=28) 19.27 hr 387 1/2.99 minutes 20.09 5

Guzzler dipnet surveys(n=40)

36 guzzlers surveyed) 10.30 hr 149

25% surveyed

showed presence 14.47 1

Aquatic funnel trapping 121 TN 52 14.1% trap captures 42.983 4

Terrestrial funnel trapping 113 TN 3 1.8% trap captures 2.653 3

Snakeskin/ reptile determinations -- 12 -- -- 3

Incidental detections -- 63 -- -- 6 1 denotes individuals heard or seen during VES.

2 Relative abundance = No. individuals detected/ hour surveyed

3 Relative abundance = No. individuals captured/ 100 trap-nights



methods at 9 Clarkston HMUs, with 10 detections by positive snakeskin determinations and confirmed

presence. Twenty-one Gopher Snake detections occurred by three survey methods at 9 Clarkston

HMUs (Section 6.6). A single detection of Night Snake occurred at John Henley HMU, by no cturnal

VES. The most widely distributed reptile species were Northern Pacific Rattlesnake and the Terrestrial

Garter Snake which were detected at 3 of the 5 HMUs by our surveys. No state sensitive species were

detected during the 2009 inventory period.

6.1 RIPARIA HMU

Methods summary

Surveys at Riparia HMU served to target as many herpetofaunal species as possible, utilizing a variety

of survey methods to maximize detections. Survey effort totals were as follows: Anuran call/eyeshine

surveys (2.30 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (1.08 hours), 1.53 hours of nocturnal and diurnal VES

(combined) and a combined 57 aquatic and terrestrial funnel trap nights and days. An additional 3.93

hours of dipnet/ aquatic surveys were performed along Alkali Creek near the confluence with the Snake

River and upstream along Alkali Flat HMU. Between three and four days per month from May

through August were spent conducting surveys at Riparia HMU in 2009 (Table 14).

Habitats

General habitats of Riparia HMU include an undeveloped campground and day use/ picnic areas with

lined with native trees and Rhus sp. (sumac). Bisecting the HMU latitudinally, Alkali Creek flows to

the Snake River, creating shoreline inlet habitat lined primarily with reed canary glass (Phalaris

communis) and occasional tule and cattail. A relict railroad berm provides a seasonal barrier to the

Snake River, capturing river water in an impounded area and creating a large pond lined with cattail

and other reed species (Figure 11). Fish, however, are still present in this pond owing to the seasonal

water releases from Little Goose dam through a low point of the railroad berm. Grassland and

disturbed shrub-steppe abut the current raised railroad berm, whose base is lined with basalt rip-rap

along its stretch through Riparia and John Henley HMUs. No gallinaceous guzzlers existed within this

HMU.

Results

A total of 6 confirmed species were found within Riparia HMU during 2009 surveys, three amphibian

and three reptile species (Table 6, Appendix G). All frogs and toad were observed in the wetland

edges of the pond bordering the relict railroad berm to the north. Two of 57 nights of funnel trapping

yielded two captures, one Long-toed Salamander and one Terrestrial Garter Snake. Other species likely

present in habitats surrounding the pond (though not detected) include Western Yellow-bellied Racer,

Western Skink and possibly Common Garter Snake. Species detections are mapped in Figure 11.

Table 14. Dates of Riparia HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009


May 6, 13, 14, 24 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES

June 10, 16, 17, 19 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic

July 17, 18, 19 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine

August 2, 3, 4 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine



LONG-TOED SALAMANDER

A single Long-toed Salamander was captured by aquatic

funnel trapping efforts on June 16, 2009 within the western

edge of the pond bordering the relict railroad berm to the north

(Figure 11, photo right). This salamander was interesting

because it was a paedomorph, or a salamander which hadn’t

metamorphosed retaining its external gills and remaining

completely aquatic. This paedomorphic Long-toed

Salamander was the only salamander captured at Riparia

HMU during 2009 surveys.

PACIFIC TREEFROG

Pacific Treefrogs were first heard chorusing on May 6, 2009 along the southern shore of the pond

bordering the relict railroad berm (Figure 11). They were present in rather low numbers, but

throughout the season were observed calling from the north shore of the pond, which was marshy

habitat as well as along the southern shore. At least 21 treefrogs were observed in this pond during the

2009 survey season.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

A single bullfrog was observed on July 18, 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey on the eastern

end of the pond bordering the relict railroad berm (Figure 11). It was not calling, but was spotted by

eyeshine and was in full view, making identification possible. Interestingly, no bullfrogs were heard at

this HMU during 2009 surveys, though they could be present in small numbers. It is possible that the

presence of fish limits bullfrog numbers in this water body.


Four Gopher Snakes were observed at Riparia during the 2009 survey period. Two were observed

incidentally, the first was a road kill along the campground loop road, found on June 16, 2009 and the

second was observed along the cobble shoreline of the Snake River on July 17, 2009 (Figure 11).

Additional detections came from the positive identification of two snakeskin molts in the Riparia

campground.


A single Terrestrial Garter Snake was captured in an aquatic funnel trap on July 17, 2009 along a small

wetland on the southern side of the relict railroad berm.


Three rattlesnakes were observed in Riparia HMU during the survey season, and all were observed

incidentally. Two were observed on July 17 and 19, 2009 in the campground, where one was observed

near the pit toilet and the other was trapped underneath MWFB researcher’s tent. A third was observed

crossing the gravel road within the HMU during evening hours (Figure 11).



Figure 11. Riparia HMU herp species detections, 2009



6.2 JOHN HENLEY HMU

Methods summary

Surveys at John Henley HMU served to target as many herpetofaunal species as possible, utilizing a

variety of survey methods to maximize detections. Survey effort totals were as follows: anuran

call/eyeshine surveys (1.22 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (2.40 hours), 46.45 hours of nocturnal and

diurnal VES (combined) and a combined 68 aquatic and terrestrial funnel trap nights and days. Four

gallinaceous guzzlers occur within this HMU and were surveyed for a total of 1.65 hours (Table 7).

Between three and six days per month from May through August were spent conducting surveys at

John Henley HMU in 2009 (Table 15).

Habitats

The general habitat of John Henley HMU consists of upland

disturbed, grassland habitat. The northern end of the HMU

encompasses canyon slopes which harbor fewer non-native grasses

and more native bunchgrasses and forbs. Several restoration plots

line the HMU in a linear fashion, consisting of mostly native and

some non-native trees and shrubs (primarily black cottonwood,

rose sp. hawthorne sp. and others). An active railroad berm bisects

the HMU longitudinally, providing basalt rock rip-rap habitat for

rock-dwelling species such as Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

(Figure 11). Grassland and disturbed shrub-steppe abut the

current raised railroad berm, and basalt rock bluffs provide

additional cover for canyon-dwelling species. Two seasonal ponds

in the southwestern portion of the HMU provide potential breeding

habitat for amphibians (photo right, see below and Figure 11).

Results

A total of 8 confirmed species were found within John Henley HMU during 2009 surveys, two

amphibian and six reptile species (Table 6, Appendix H). This HMU provides limited aquatic habitat

for amphibians, potentially explaining the detection of only two species. Two of 68 nights of funnel

trapping yielded two captures of snakes, both in terrestrially-placed traps. The tree and shrubplots in

the HMU provided habitat for four species of reptiles, which were detected by VES or terrestrial funnel

trap captures (see below). Another species with the potential to occur in this HMU is the Terrestrial

Garter Snake, based on habitat and species distribution. Species detections are mapped in Figure 12.


A drainage with a small, ephemeral pool was surveyed with dipnets on May 15, 2009 in the canyon

hills of the eastern portion of the HMU (photo above right). Five Long-toed Salamander larvae of

various stages from a few weeks to a few months old were netted in this natural pool surrounded by

aquatic forbs, grasses and algae in this rocky drainage north of the active railroad berm (Figure 12).

MWFB researchers returned to this pool on June 9, 2009 and it was nearly completely dry, suggesting

Table 15. Dates of John Henley HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009


May 6, 14, 15 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES, guzzler dipnet

June 9, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, Dipnet/ aquatic ,

guzzler dipnet

July 17, 18, 19, 20 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine

August 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Funnel trapping, VES, Anuran call/eyeshine



that larvae may have suffered mortality prior to metamorphism. In

years with above average rainfall, this pool could sustain water

through the end of breeding season and provide a viable location for

breeding for this species. No guzzlers were found to support long-

toed salamanders, though surveys in the guzzler located at 419399

Easting, 5160013 Northing (zone 11 north) yielded detection of

gelatinous structures reminiscent of hatched eggs, though no

salamanders were netted on May 15, 2009. A follow up survey on

June 9, 2009 failed to detect long-toed salamanders in this guzzler.


During an anuran call/ eyeshine survey on June 10, 2009, three spadefoots were heard calling from the

northern of the two ephemeral ponds at the base of the relict railroad berm in the southwestern portion

of John Henley HMU (Figure 12). This species had not been heard previously during anuran call/

eyeshine surveys from Riparia HMU, the HMU adjacent to the west.

WESTERN SKINK

A Western Skink was observed incidentally on a rainy afternoon

of May 6, 2009 in the northwestern corner of the HMU underneath

a burnt fence post on a grassland slope (photo right). Additional

skinks were not observed in subsequent months until August 5,

2009 when one was observed during a diurnal VES associating

with a pile of fenceposts in the northeastern corner of the HMU

surrounded by bunchgrass and shrub steppe habitat (Figure 12).


A single Racer was observed during 2009 surveys at John Henley HMU. It was captured in a funnel

trap along with a Common Garter Snake, which was found the following morning dead in the trap with

the Racer. This detection occurred in the western shrub-plot of the HMU, nearby the active railroad

berm (Figure 12).


Two Gopher Snakes were detected at John Henley HMU during the 2009 survey season. On June 10,

2009 a Gopher Snake was spotted moving quickly into the surrounding grassland from the western tree

and shrubplot in the HMU. A second Gopher Snake was observed incidentally on June 17, 2009 while

driving through the HMU in the evening, it was crossing the road in the middle of the HMU.

Surrounding habitat was non-native annual grassland and forbs.

COMMON GARTER SNAKE

Common Garter Snakes were not observed in the HMU until one was captured along with a Western

Yellow-bellied Racer in a funnel trap placed terrestrially in a restorative shrub plot on the western end

of the HMU (see Figure 12 Racer detection, labeled “1”). The Garter Snake was found dead in the

funnel trap with a live Racer, though it wasn’t clear how the snake had died.

NORTHERN DESERT NIGHT SNAKE

A Night Snake was detected during nocturnal VES on July 17, 2009 along the base of basalt rock bluffs

in native bunchgrass and shrub-steppe habitat (Figure 12). It was observed on the ground amongst

One of five larvae netted in

the natural wetland on John

Henley HMU



bunchgrasses, and was identified as male by the hemipenes protruding during handling. The snake was

collected and deposited in the MWFB. This Night Snake was one of 9 individual reptiles detected

during nocturnal VES at John Henley HMU, and represents a new species for MWFB survey efforts.

The closest known record is Tucannon HMU also in the Lower Monumental pool, approximately 5

miles downstream in Columbia County (Loper and Lohman, 1998). Preliminary examination of Snake

River distributional records suggests that our detection at John Henley HMU may be the first

documented record from Whitman County.


The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was the most common reptile observed at John Henley HMU in

2009. Sixteen detections occurred over a period of four months and in a variety of habitats. Five of the

16 rattlesnakes (31%) were observed in restoration shrub or treeplots (Figure 12). Rattlesnakes were

first observed June 9, 2009 through August, with the majority of detections occurring by VES (81%,

either diurnal or nocturnal).

Clockwise from Top left, Night

Snake found on evening VES, a wet

seep marked with monkey flower, an

irrigated riparian plot, and the

ubiquitous Pacific Rattler, all at John

Henley HMU.



Figure 12. John Henley HMU herp species detections, 2009



6.3 NISQUALLY JOHN CANYON HMU

Methods summary

Surveys at Nisqually John Canyon HMU served to target as many herpetofaunal species as possible,

utilizing a variety of survey methods to maximize detections. Survey effort totals were as follows:

anuran call/eyeshine surveys (2.47 hours), dipnet/ aquatic sessions (7.72 hours), 28.55 hours of

nocturnal and diurnal VES (combined) and a combined 66 aquatic and terrestrial funnel trap nights and

days. Six gallinaceous guzzlers occur within this HMU; five were surveyed for a total 0.77 hours

(Table 7). Between one and seven days per month from May through August were spent conducting

surveys at Nisqually John Canyon HMU in 2009 (Table 16).

Habitats

Nisqually John Canyon HMU spans from the Snake River canyon bottom at approximately 732 to

approximately 2,550 feet msl at the top of the Snake River canyon. Upland hill slopes from the HMU

are farmed for winter wheat, corn and other grain crops. General habitats of Nisqually John Canyon

HMU include upland grassland habitat of native bunchgrasses and non-native annuals with basalt rock

fields. Rabbitbrush and rigid sagebrush occur in patches within the canyon and along the tops of hills.

Along the creek channel, dense stretches of alder (Alnus sp.), willow (Salix sp.), cottonwood (Populus

sp.) and others comprise the creek riparian habitat. Where the stream emerges from the canyon at its

confluence with the Snake River, a pond lined with blackberry and cattail existed until late winter in

2009, when heavy precipitation brought a large movement of water down the canyon stream bottom,

resulting in severe erosion and wash out of creek sediments which filled in the pond in its entirety.

This pond was completely silted up during spring and summer 2009 surveys, offering habitat in the

form of a mud flat adjacent to north of Wawawai Road and the Snake River.

Results

A total of 8 confirmed species were found within Nisqually John Canyon HMU during 2009 surveys,

three amphibian and five reptile species (Table 6, Appendix I). Species detections are mapped in

Figure 13. Five of 66 nights of funnel trapping yielded 29 captures of amphibians and reptiles (see

below). The creek riparian habitat and the former pond at the base of the canyon adjacent to the Snake

River provided the greatest number of detections (Figure 13). Anuran call/ eyeshine surveys at

Nisqually John Canyon HMU focused on the southern end of the riparian creek and the silted-in pond.

No frogs were heard calling during these surveys, though frogs were seen (see below). Other species

not detected by our surveys but have the potential to occur in this HMU include Rubber Boa, Ring-

neck Snake, Common Garter Snake, and perhaps even Night Snake, based on habitat and species

distribution.


While the entire stretch of creek was not surveyed, salamander eggs were found in early May 2009 in

six different locations in slow-moving pools in the creek at the bottom of Nisqually John Canyon

(Figure 13). Eggs were laid singly or in small clusters along the undersides of submerged rocks or

Table 16. Dates of Nisqually John Canyon HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009


April 26 Incidental

May 4, 8, 11, 17, 27, 29 Anuran call/eyeshine, VES, Dipnet/ aquatic, Guzzler dipnet,

incidental

June 3, 15 VES, Dipnet/ aquatic

July 14, 15, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, VES



vegetation. Only one of five guzzlers surveyed supported long-toed salamanders located just upslope

(within 25 meters) of a damp drainage (Figure 13). This guzzler was being used by cattle for drinking

in summer 2009.

WESTERN TOAD

During the 2009 survey season, three Western Toads were

observed at Nisqually John Canyon HMU. The first was

observed incidentally on May 11, 2009 along the old jeep

trail where a seasonal seep drains to the stream below and

the foot path is lined with wooden boards help facilitate

crossing to access the canyon to the north (Figure 13).

Two more were observed during a nighttime dipnet/

aquatic session along the silted-in pond (mudflat area) at

the base of the canyon where it meets the Snake River.

Two females (one was very large, 101 millimeters snout-

vent length, the other smaller, 89 mm) were observed during this night-time survey on June 15, 2009,

sitting within the filled-pond mudflat where the stream trickles into the Snake River (Figure 13). None

were heard calling within the HMU during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

While no bullfrogs were heard calling during anuran call/ eyeshine surveys, nine were observed sitting

out in the silted-in pond (mudflat area) at the base of stream adjacent to the Snake River during a night-

time anuran call/ eyeshine survey on May 27, 2009. Subsequent surveys in the vicinity of the mudflat

found this species in this locale. During night-time dipnet/ aquatic survey geared towards capture of

bullfrogs for swabbing to test for the presence of chytrid fungus, eight were captured along the silted-in

pond (mudflat area) but many more were observed by eyeshine. Amphbian chytrid test results for

these frogs were negative (Table 5, Section 3.2). Funnel trapping along the creek within the mudflat

area and upstream along the creekbed only yielded captures of two bullfrogs in traps placed aquatically

within the silted-in pond.

WESTERN SKINK

This species was observed incidentally along grassy slopes interspersed with rock outcrops near the top

and middle of Nisqually John Canyon during small mammal trapping surveys in August 2008. VES in

2009 did not detect this species, though a lizard was observed incidentally on April 26, 2009 within a

basalt rock-filled slope, approximately 700 meters upslope of the creek drainage (Figure 13). This

species probably occurs in the HMU in much higher numbers than detected; VES survey conditions

may not have been ideal to detect this species more frequently.


Two Western Yellow-bellied Racers were observed during 2009

surveys. One was observed during a dipnet/ aquatic survey on

May 11, 2009 along a rocky, dry drainage on the eastern side of

the canyon (Figure 13, photo right). A second was observed

incidentally within the same drainage in between surveys.

These detections within the same vicinity within the same hour

suggest that these surveys were performed during a period of

emergence or activity for this species in the HMU.




This species was observed incidentally along grassy slopes interspersed with rock outcrops near the

bottom of Nisqually John Canyon during small mammal trapping surveys in August 2008. During a

VES survey on a hot morning on July 15, 2009, a Gopher Snake was observed coiled up underneath a

shrub near the forb-lined creek (Figure 13). This species probably occurs in the HMU in much higher

numbers than detected; VES survey conditions may not have been ideal to detect this species more

frequently.


A single detection of Terrestrial Garter Snake occurred through aquatic funnel trapping within the

creek within and upstream the silted-in pond (mudflat area). It was captured in a trap placed in a small

pool just upstream of the silted-in pond on July 27, 2009.


Six detections of rattlesnakes occurred during the 2009 survey season at Nisqually John Canyon HMU.

Three were observed incidentally on May 11 and July 28, 2009. Two were observed during VES on

July 27 and 28, while a sixth was captured in a funnel trap set terrestrially on July 28. This species

remains active through late summer and into fall.



Figure 13. Nisqually John Canyon HMU herp species detections, 2009



6.4 ALPOWA CREEK HMU

Methods summary

Surveys at Alpowa Creek HMU in 2009 served to augment those surveys conducted by Loper and

Lohman (1998) at this HMU. We utilized survey methods to target additional herpetofaunal species.


(1.33 hours), 2.57 hours of diurnal VES and 20 aquatic funnel trap nights and days. No gallinaceous

guzzlers occur within this HMU. Between two and four days per month from May through July were

spent conducting surveys at Alpowa Creek HMU in 2009 (Table 17).

Habitats

Alpowa Creek HMU is located at the confluence of Alpowa Creek and the Snake River. The primary

habitat type within this HMU is riparian forest consisting of alder, willow and cottonwood overstory

and an understory of blackberry, hawthorne sp. other native shrubs and tall annual grasses. A wetland

area along the east of the riparian forest is regularly flooded owing to fluctuating river pool levels.

Upland habitat in this HMU consists of shrub-steppe with non-native annual grasses. Alpowa Creek

flows on the northwestern edge of the HMU; a side channel to the Snake River occurs on the

southeastern edge of the HMU bordering Highway 12.

Results

A total of 4 confirmed species were found within Alpowa Creek HMU during 2009 surveys, three

amphibian and one reptile species (Table 6, Appendix J). Species detections are mapped in Figure

14. The majority of detections occurred within the side channel riparian habitat in the southeastern

edge of the HMU (Figure 14). We detected three species not previously documented within this HMU

by Loper and Lohman (1998). Thus, our surveys in addition to those conducted by Loper and Lohman

(1998) confirm a total of 7 species for Alpowa Creek HMU (see below). Other species not detected by

our surveys or those conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) which have the potential to occur in this

HMU include Western Toad and Northern Pacific Rattlesnake based on habitat and species

distribution.

LONG-TOED SALAMANDER Salamanders were observed at Alpowa Creek HMU by our surveys in 2009. The first detection

occurred on June 15, 2009, when a Long-toed Salamander

larva was dipnetted during night-time dipnet/ aquatic

survey in the side channel inlet to the Snake River (photo

right, Figure 14). Funnel trapping efforts in this side

channel yielded captures of larval salamanders (10

captures out of 20 traps set) on July 14 and 15, 2009. This

species was not observed by surveys conducted by Loper

and Lohman (1998), despite the use of drift fence and

pitfall arrays as well as funnel trapping (associated with

the drift fence).

Table 17. Dates of Alpowa Creek HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009



June 10, 15 VES, Dipnet/ aquatic

July 14, 15, 16 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine



A Pacific TreeFrog at Alpowa

Creek

PACIFIC TREEFROG

Pacific Treefrogs were the most frequently observed amphibian and

herptile at Alpowa Creek HMU during 2009 surveys. Treefrogs were

first heard chorusing in the side channel on May 5, 2009 during an

anuran/ eyeshine survey and were heard chorusing through May and into

early summer. Dipnet/ aquatic surveys June 15, 2009 yielded captures of

five Treefrogs which were swabbed to test for the presence of chytrid

fungus in that portion of the Snake River. Amphibian chytrid test results

for these frogs were negative (Table 5, Section 3.2). Aquatic funnel

trapping July 14, 2009 yielded two captures of Treefrogs, one tadpole

and one metamorph. This species had been observed by Loper and

Lohman (1998) at Alpowa Creek HMU.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

American bullfrogs were not detected at Alpowa Creek HMU by any survey method until June 15,

2009 when a large female was captured during a dipnet/ aquatic survey geared towards capture of frogs

for swabbing to test for the presence of chytrid fungus conducted in the side channel (Figure 14). This

species was not observed by surveys conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998), despite the use of drift

fence and pitfall arrays as well as funnel trapping (associated with the drift fence). Bullfrogs might be

expected to occur in the side channel water way in higher numbers, however only one was detected

during the survey season in 2009.


This species was not detected by our surveys in 2009, but was recorded within the HMU by Loper and

Lohman (1998).



Lohman (1998).

COMMON GARTER SNAKE


Lohman (1998).


A single detection of this species occurred through the discovery of a dead (or depredated) Terrestrial

Garter Snake along the side channel habitat on May 12, 2009 (Figure 14). It was found half-

submerged in the water with pieces of flesh missing and was partially rotten. This observation

confirms the presence of Terrestrial Garter Snake in Alpowa Creek HMU, where Loper and Lohman

(1998) had not identified unknown Thamnophis sp. as this particular one.



Figure 14. Alpowa Creek HMU herp species detections, 2009



6.5 CHIEF TIMOTHY HMU

Methods summary

Surveys at Chief Timothy HMU in 2009 served to augment those surveys conducted by Loper and

Lohman (1998) at this HMU. We utilized survey methods to target additional herpetofaunal species.


(0.87 hours), 7.26 hours of diurnal VES and 20 aquatic funnel trap nights and days. No gallinaceous

guzzlers occur within this HMU. Between one and four days per month from April through August

(excluding June) were spent conducting surveys at Chief Timothy HMU in 2009 (Table 18).

Habitats

Chief Timothy HMU is located just upstream of the confluence of Alpowa Creek and the Snake River

and approximately 4.5 miles west of the city of Clarkston. The HMU consists primarily of a shoreline

strip with some upland areas between the Snake River and Highway. The primary habitat type within

this HMU is mixed riparian forest consisting of cottonwood overstory with occasional Russian olive

and an understory of blackberry, hawthorne sp. other shrubs and tall annual and perennial grasses. A

pond, seasonally isolated from the Snake River provides aquatic habitat in the middle of the HMU and

is lined with Russian olive, willows and other trees. Upland habitat in this HMU consists of degraded

shrub-steppe with non-native annual grasses.

Results

Only one species, the American Bullfrog was detected during 2009 surveys (Table 6, Appendix K).

Detection locations of American Bullfrogs are mapped in Figure 15. Despite 2.10 and 5.16 hours of

diurnal and nocturnal surveys, respectively, no other reptiles or amphibians were observed at Chief

Timothy HMU during 2009 surveys. Bullfrog, along with three other species not detected during 2009

surveys were previously documented within this HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998). Thus, our

surveys combined with those conducted by Loper and Lohman (1998) confirm a total of 4 species for

Chief Timothy HMU (see below). Other species not detected by our surveys or those conducted by

Loper and Lohman (1998) which have the potential to occur at Chief Timothy HMU include Western

Toad, Pacific Treefrog, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Great Basin Gopher Snake and Northern Pacific

Rattlesnake based on habitat and species distribution.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

The majority of detections of Bullfrogs occurred within the pond in the middle of the HMU (Figure

15). The first Bullfrog was heard calling on May 17, 2009 during an anuran call/ eyeshine survey,

when a single bullfrog was heard intermittently calling from the south shore of the pond. While

detection of bullfrogs by eyeshine peaked in mid July with the eyeshine of at least 21 individuals

observed along the east end of the pond, none were heard calling at this time.

Table 18. Dates of Chief Timothy HMU herpetofaunal surveys, 2009


April 21 Anuran call/eyeshine


July 14, 15, 16, 30 Funnel trapping, Anuran call/eyeshine, dipnet/ aquatic, VES,

August 1 VES



PAINTED TURTLE


Lohman (1998) in an area described as a pond. We surveyed the existing pond for a total of 1.76

observer hours during mid-July to target turtles basking during morning hours; none were detected by

our surveys. In addition, several hours of funnel trap setting and checking did not detect this species

incidentally.

COMMON GARTER SNAKE


Lohman (1998).



Lohman (1998).



Figure 15. Chief Timothy HMU herp species detections, 2009



6.6 OTHER CLARKSTON-MANAGED HMUS

Additional surveys were conducted at other HMUs to target particular species. This section outlines

the methodology, timing and results of those surveys and discusses any incidental sightings by MWFB

efforts as well as results of previous research at those HMUs.

6.6.1 Lower Monumental pool

LYON’S FERRY HMU

No formal surveys were conducted at Lyon’s Ferry HMU, except for

a guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders.

Guzzler surveys were conducted of all 5 gallinaceous guzzlers on

May 7, 2009. No salamanders were detected in any guzzler in this

HMU. However, two species were observed incidentally at Lyon’s

Ferry HMU. Two Pacific Treefrogs were heard chorusing from the

small island off the archaeological levee in the southeast end of the

HMU on June 9, 2009 at 408101E, 5162953N (zone 11N). On June

16, 2009 a Racer (photo right) was detected within riparian habitat

during MWFB small mammal surveys near trap node LF-1A

(408149E, 5163211N zone 11N).

TUCANNON HMU

This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and

amphibians in 2008 or 2009. However, five species were

recorded incidentally or during opportunistic surveys

during the MWFB three-day small mammal survey in

mid-June 2009. This HMU was surveyed for reptiles and

amphibians by Loper and Lohman (1998). Their efforts

yielded detections of 10 species over a spring, summer

and autumn sampling seasons between 1995 and 1997. A

survey of the gallineacous guzzler located at 410146E,

5155935N (zone 11N) yielded captures of 4 Long-toed Salamander larvae. These larvae were sampled

and tested for the amphibian chytrid fungus; results were negative, perhaps unsurprising for an isolated

body of standing water such as the guzzler (Table 5). While salamanders were detected at Tucannon

HMU by Loper and Lohman (1998), the finding of salamanders in this guzzler was surprising owing to

the fact that this guzzler is located atop a rocky, elevated bench covered in native bunchgrasses such as

bluebunch wheatgrass and other native as well as non-native grasses. Salamanders had been detected

in this HMU by drift fence and pitfall array by Loper and Lohman (1998) among riparian habitats.

Aquatic funnel trapping in temporarily flooded areas along the HMU road yielded capture of a

Terrestrial Garter Snake as well as captures of Pacific Treefrog tadpoles on June 17, 2009. Treefrog

tadpoles were abundant in these flooded areas located at 410263E, 5155670N (zone 11N); at least 250

were visually estimated though undoubtedly more were present. Six rattlesnakes were observed during

two days of the three-day trapping session in June 2009. One rattlesnake was captured in a Sherman

live trap along a temporary flooded area at 410336E, 5155659N (zone 11N) on June 17, 2009. An

additional species, the Western Yellow-bellied Racer was confirmed through the positive identification

of a snakeskin molt found along shrub-steppe and grassland slope edge on June 16, 2009.

ALKALI FLAT HMU

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Alkali Creek HMU in 2009.

However, Pacific Treefrog was heard calling during nocturnal anuran call/ eyeshine surveys north of

this HMU on May 6, 2009 when five frogs were heard calling north of the HMU on private land



utilized for ranching cattle, at 416249E 5161296N (zone 11N). Again on June 10, 2009, five Treefrogs

were heard calling from within this same area. No Treefrogs were heard calling during nocturnal

anuran call/ anuran surveys from within the HMU.

6.6.2 Little Goose pool

RIDPATH HMU

No formal surveys were conducted at Ridpath HMU, except for a guzzler survey to check for presence

of Long-toed Salamanders. The single gallinaceous guzzler in the HMU was surveyed on April 23,

2009; no salamanders were observed. However, we detected four species at Ridpath HMU by

incidental observations during site visits or small mammal trapping. A fifth species not detected by our

surveys, the Great Basin Spadefoot, was recorded at this HMU by Downs et al. (1996).

American Bullfrogs were heard calling from the seasonally isolated ponds created by sand

deposited through wave action in the eastern end of the HMU during small mammal surveys in

September 2009. Northern Pacific Rattlesnake and Western Yellow-bellied Racer were observed

incidentally during a visit by Wildlife Biologist Mark Graves on April 21, 2009. Additionally,

Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes were observed in high numbers incidentally during MWFB small

mammal trap set-up during a blistery morning on September 19, 2009. During a period of 1.5 hours, 7

rattlesnakes were observed moving through or within the western end of the HMU. A possible

explanation for the high rate of detections was found at the west shoreline of the HMU where, within a

field of driftwood 4 rattlesnakes were observed underneath or in the immediate vicinity of a driftwood

piece of plywood, located at (430317E, 5160235N zone 11N). This observation suggests that the

woody debris provided adequate coverage for a possible hibernacula spot and the rattlesnakes were on

the move toward their witnering spot. Also observed during small mammal surveys in September 2009

were two Great Basin Gopher Snakes: one was seen along bunchgrass/ riparian edge on September 19

and another was observed crossing a grassy ATV path on September 21.

DRY GULCH HMU

No formal surveys were conducted at Dry Gulch HMU, except for a guzzler survey to check for

presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). Presence was confirmed on June 5, 2009 when 5

salamander larvae were netted from guzzler DGWT1, located at 430510E 5158339N (zone 11 N). The

guzzler is located in a depression adjacent to cattle pasture of private land, and was tall with annual

grasses at the time of the survey.

NEW YORK BAR HMU

No formal surveys were conducted at New York Bar HMU, except for guzzler surveys to check for

presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). Guzzler surveys were conducted of all 3 gallinaceous

guzzlers on April 23, 2009. All three guzzlers were found to have Long-toed Salamander eggs and

hatched larvae on this date. During small mammal surveys in September 2009, a Western Yellow-

bellied Racer was seen incidentally on September 18 near small mammal trap node NY-1C, located at

(434699E, 5163410N zone 11N) along a riparian/ blackberry edge. Three Northern Pacific

Rattlesnakes were observed between September 18 and 20, 2009 along rocky escarpment edges with

grassland slopes. Additionally, two snakeskin molts were collected and later identified as Northern

Pacific Rattlesnake.

DEADMAN CREEK HMU

No surveys were conducted at Deadman Creek HMU during 2008 or 2009. However, this site was

surveyed for reptiles and amphibians by Loper and Lohman (1998). Five species were recorded at this



HMU during surveys conducted between 1995 and 1997: Long-toed Salamander, Western Toad,

Pacific Treefrog, Western Yellow-bellied Racer and Common Garter Snake.

WILLOW BAR HMU

This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in 2009. However, four species

were recorded incidentally during the MWFB three-day small mammal survey in mid-June 2009. On

June 19, 2009 a large female Western Toad was observed incidentally near small mammal trapping

node WB-3A (442380N, 5169696E, zone 11N) (Figure 6). On

June 20, 2009, four Great Basin Gopher Snakes were detected

during trap checking. Two were observed along grass slope edges

(442448N, 5169184E and 442448N, 5169669E); one was

observed near small mammal trap node WB-1A (442861E,

5170267N zone 11N) and another adjacent to wetland habitat of

WB-2D (442768E, 5170169N) (Photo Right). A Western Yellow-

bellied Racer was detected within grassland slope habitat on June

20, 2009 at 442448N, 5169669E. Also on June 20, a juvenile

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake was detected along a grassland/ forb

edge at small mammal trap node WB-1D (442789E, 5170248N).

PENAWAWA HMU

This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in 2008 or 2009. However, two

species were recorded incidentally or during bird surveys and three-day small mammal survey in mid-

June 2009. On June 4, 2009, a Pacific Treefrog was heard chorusing during bird surveys from a small

wetland west of the HMU and north of the railroad tracks. On June 23, 2009 a Northern Pacific

Rattlesnake was observed incidentally during small mammal trap set-up within a ephemeral drainage

lined with tall annual grasses, located at 447603N, 5172712E (zone 11N).

RICE BAR HMU

This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and amphibians in 2008 or 2009. However, this

site was surveyed for reptiles and amphibians by Loper and Lohman (1998). Five species were

recorded at this HMU during surveys conducted between 1995 and 1997: Long-toed Salamander,

Western Toad, Western Yellow-bellied Racer and Great Basin Gopher Snake (Figure 6).

SWIFT BAR HMU

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Swift Bar HMU, except for guzzler

surveys to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). All six gallinaceous guzzlers

present in the HMU were surveyed on April 23, 2009. Only one guzzler yielded detections of Long-

toed Salamanders, located at 452386N, 5170022E (zone 11N). During small mammal surveys in

August 2008, a snakeskin molt was collected at the west end of the HMU and was later identified as

belonging to a Western Yellow-bellied Racer. During bird surveys on June 4, 2009, a Great Basin

Gopher Snake was spotted basking on a patch of gravel adjacent to the railroad, located at 454609N,

5169397E (zone 11N).

ILLIA DUNES HMU

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Illia Dunes HMU, except for a

guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed salamanders. Presence was confirmed on June 8,

2009 when 2 Long-toed Salamanders were netted in guzzler IDWT1, located at 462825E, 5170652N

zone 11 N. One was a metamorphosing larva that was in the process of reabsorbing its gills, but



showed the green dorsal pattern characteristic of adult long-toed salamanders. The other was a larva

which appeared ready to metamorphose. The guzzler is located in a grass-filled draw between two

slopes, which was tall with annual grasses at the time of the survey. Another guzzler, IDWT2 (located

at 463249E, 5170652N, zone 11 N) was surveyed but no long-toed salamanders were detected. This

guzzler was located between two sand dunes with some shrub and grass coverage.

6.6.3 Lower Granite Pool

TRANSMISSION LINE HMU

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Transmission Line HMU, except for

a guzzler survey to check for presence of Long-toed salamanders. The single gallinaceous guzzler in

the eastern end of the HMU was surveyed on April 23, 2009; no salamanders were observed.

However, two Great Basin Gopher Snakes species were incidentally observed during small mammal

trapping efforts in September 2009. Both were observed within the vicinity of the riparian shoreline of

the Snake River on September 15, 2009 at small mammal trap nodes TL-1D and TL-4D (470102E,

5165893N and 468511E, 5166482N, zone 11N).

KNOXWAY CANYON HMU

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Knoxway Canyon HMU, except for a

dipnet/ aquatic to check the ephemeral drainage that flows into the HMU for presence of Long-toed

Salamanders. A total of 0.65 hours were spent visually scanning and dipnetting the creek within the

HMU and the small pooled area just south of the USACE boundary fence. No salamander eggs or

salamanders were observed. During small mammal surveys in mid-September 2009, two Western

Yellow-bellied Racers were incidentally observed in the HMU. One was observed on September 15,

2009 along a rocky escarpment, located at small mammal trap node KC-1C (474308E, 5158535N zone

11N); another was observed along a grassy draw on September 16, 2009.

KELLY BAR HMU

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Kelly Bar HMU, except for guzzler

surveys to check for presence of Long-toed Salamanders (Table 7). Of the three gallinaceous guzzlers

present within the HMU, presence was confirmed on May 13, 2009 when at least 22 Long-toed

Salamander eggs were observed in the guzzler located at the guzzler located at 478918N, 5155408E

(zone 11N). In addition, Western Skinks were observed incidentally during small mammal surveys in

August 2008 in this HMU.

NISQUALLY JOHN LANDING

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Nisqually John Landing, except for a

anuran call/ eyeshine to check the pond for anurans adjacent to the railroad. An anuran call/ eyeshine

survey was conducted on June 3, 2009 at the pond located where Wawawai Road intersects the railroad

crossing at 482071E 5146499N near Nisqually John Landing. A total of 4 American Bullfrogs were

heard calling from this pond.

STEPTOE CANYON

No formal surveys for reptiles and amphibians were conducted at Steptoe Canyon, except for an anuran

call/ eyeshine to check the pond for anurans near the intersection of Steptoe Canyon and Wawawai

Roads. A anuran call/ eyeshine survey was conducted on July 14, 2009 at the pond located at the

intersection of Wawawai Road and Steptoe Canyon Road. A total of 64 Bullfrogs were observed by

eyeshine; 8 of which were calling in this pond, located at 484303E, 5144338N. Additionally, a large



Painted Turtle was incidentally observed in summer 2008 basking along debris on the edges of this

pond.

ASOTIN SLOUGH

This HMU was not specifically surveyed for reptiles and

amphibians in 2008 or 2009. However, a Great Basin Gopher

Snake (photo right) was seen incidentally during small

mammal surveys within grass and shrub-steppe habitat on

September 24, 2009 at 497763E, 5131410N (zone 11N).



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the Northern Leopard Frog. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife RAPI report. Available

from http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/status/leopfrog/nlfxsum.htm last accessed 26 May 2010.

Manley, P. M., Van Horne, B., Roth, J. K., Zielinski, W. J., McKenzie, M. M., Weller, T. J., Weckerly, F.

W., Vojta, C. 2006. Multiple species inventory and monitoring technical guide. Chapter 8,

Terrestrial Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-73. Washington D. C.: US

Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington office. 204pp.

Mitchell, J. C. Sept 2004. Inventory of amphibians and reptiles of Colonial National Historical Park.

National Park Service, Northeast Region Philadelphia, PA. Natural Resources Report

NPS/NER/NRTR-2005/006 http://www.nps.gov/ner/science

Nafis, G. (2009). California Reptiles and Amphibians. Available from www.californiaherps.com. Date

last accessed: 23 Feb 2009.

Nussbaum, R. A., Brodie Jr., E. D. and R. M. Storm. 1983. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific

Northwest. University of Idaho Press, Moscow, Idaho.

Olson, Dede. Personal Communication. 26 February 2009 (USDA Forest Service).

Padgett-Flohr, Gretchen. Personal Communication. 23 February 2009 (University of Illinois,

Carbondale).

Pittman S. E and M. E. Dorcas. 2006. Catawba River Corridor Coverboard Program: A citizen science

approach to amphibian and reptile inventory. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Sciences,

122 (4): 142 – 151.

Ryan, T. J., Philippi, T., Leiden, Y. A., Dorcas, M. E., Wigley, T. B., and J. W. Gibbons. 2002.

Monitoring herpetofauna in a managed forest landscape: effects of habitat types and census

techniques. Forest Ecology and Management, Vol 167 (1 to 3): 83 – 90.

Salzer, Lori. Personal Communication. 23 July 2008, 23 February; 19 May 2009 (Washington Dept of

Fish and Wildlife).

Skerratt, L. F., Berger, L. Hines, H. B., McDonald, K. R., Mendez, D. and R. Speare. 2008. Survey

protocol for detecting chytridiomycosis in all Australian frog populations. Diseases of Aquatic

Organisms Vol. 80: 85 – 94.

Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Third Edition. Houghton

Mifflin Company, Boston. 533 pp.

Thomson, Robert C. Personal Communication. 7, 30 July; 25 August; 23 September; 19 November; 9,

29 December 2008; 24 February; 19 March 2009 (Shaffer Lab, UC Davis Dept. of Evolution and

Ecology).

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Maintenance Guidance and Procedures, EP 1130-2-540; Chapter 2-4, Natural Resources

Stewardship: Natural Resources Management Activities. Washington, D.C.

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Field Office. Boise, Idaho. 59pp.

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2010

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accessed: 10 March 2009.

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Weaver, R. E. 2008. Distribution, abundance and habitat associations of Night Snake (Hypsiglena

torquata) in Washington state. Northwestern Naturalist 89: 164 – 170.





APPENDIX A. SPECIES LIST FOR WALLA WALLA DISTRICT HMUS (LOWER SNAKE RIVER).

Species

code Scientific Name Vernacular Name Status

AMTI Ambystoma tigrinum Tiger Salamander PO

AMMA Ambystoma macrodactylum columbianus Long-toed Salamander CO

SPIN Spea intermontana Great Basin Spadefoot CO

BUBO Bufo boreas boreas Western Toad CO

BUWO Bufo woodhousii woodhousii Woodhouse's Toad a CO

PSRE Pseudacris regilla Pacific Treefrog b CO

RALU Rana luteiventris Columbia Spotted Frog PO

RAPI Rana pipiens Northern Leopard Frog PO

RACT Rana catesbeiana American Bullfrog CO

CHPI Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle CO

SCOC Sceloporus occidentalis Western Fence Lizard PO

SCGR Sceloporus graciosus graciosus Sagebrush Lizard PO

UTST Uta stansburiana Common Side-blotched Lizard PO

PHDO Phrynosoma douglasii Pigmy Short-horned Lizard PO

EUSK Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus Western Skink c CO

CHBO Charina bottae Rubber Boa CO*

DIPU Diadophis punctatus Ring-necked Snake PO

COCA Coluber constrictor mormon Racer CO

MATA Masticophis taeniatus Striped Whipsnake PO

PICA Pituophis catenifer deserticola Gopher Snake CO

THSI Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi Common Garter Snake CO

THEL Thamnophis elegans vagrans Western Terrestrial Garter Snake CO

HYTO Hypsiglena chlorophaea Night Snake d CO

CRVI Crotalus oreganus oreganus Western Rattlesnake e CO

PO = Possibly occurring; CO = Confirmed along study area * Confirmed presence during 2008 surveys (Alminas et al

2009).

Literature consulted for species list: Stebbins (2003), Washington Gap Analysis, WDFW Herp Atlas, R.C. Thomson, UC Davis.

Nomenclature follows Stebbins (2003) with the following name adjustments: a Crother, B. I., Boundy J., Campbell, J. A., de Quieroz, K., Frost, D., Green, D. M. and R. Highton. 2003. Scientific and

Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico: Update. Herpetological Review, vol.

34, no. 3. 196-203. b Faivovich, J., Systematic review of the frog family Hylidae, with special reference to the Hylinae: phylogenetic analysis and

taxonomic revision. 2005 Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 294: 1-240 c Smith Hobart M. 2005. Plestiodon: a Replacement Name for Most Members of the Genus Eumeces in North America. Journal

of Kansas Herpetology. Number 14 d Mulcahy, D. G. 2008. Phylogeography and species boundaries of the western North American Nightsnake (Hypsiglena

torquata): Revisiting the subspecies concept. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 46: 1095 – 1115. e Ashton, K.G. & A. de Queiroz. 2001. Molecular Systematics of the western rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis (Viperidae), with

comments on the utility of the D-Loop in phylogenetic studies of snakes. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 21:176-189.



APPENDIX B. SNAKE MOLT IDENTIFICATIONS, 2009

HMU Habitat Date found Species

Riparia Non-native grasses surrounded by Sumac 7/19/2009 Great Basin Gopher Snake

Riparia

Non-native grasses surrounded by

boulders in campground 6/19/2009 Great Basin Gopher Snake

Swift Bar Base of bluffs, rock outcrop 8/10/2008 Western Yellow-bellied Racer

Nisqually John

Canyon

Found under rock and downed woody

debris in riparian area 7/15/2009 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

Nisqually John

Canyon rocky slope with sparse bunchgrasses 7/27/2009 Western Yellow-bellied Racer

Nisqually John

Canyon talus field covered in broken basalt rocks 7/27/2009 Western Yellow-bellied Racer

Nisqually John

Canyon unknown; found under bridge 7/30/2009 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

Lyon's Ferry Sagebrush 6/17/2009 Western Yellow-bellied Racer

Tucannon Grassy slope, shrub-steppe edge 6/16/2009 Western Yellow-bellied Racer

Knoxway Canyon shoreline of inlet of Snake River 9/17/2009 Great Basin Gopher Snake

New York Bar Rock outcrop with bunchgrasses 9/18/2009 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

New York Bar Rock outcrop with bunchgrasses 9/20/2008 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake



APPENDIX C. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR TOOTHACRE HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Species

MWFB

name

Detection

date Detection Method Primary habitat Secondary habitat Individuals Easting Northing

Woodhouse's Toad TOBUWO1 18-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline Inlet Pond 6 344782 5110887

Woodhouse's Toad TOBUWO2 20-May-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Wetland Pond 2 344782 5110842

Woodhouse's Toad TOBUWO3 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Russian Olive grassland 1 345907 5109847

Woodhouse's Toad TOBUWO4 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Canal Wetland 6 344909 5110657

Woodhouse's Toad TOBUWO5 10-Aug-09 Funnel Trap Wetland Russian Olive grassland 1 345969 5109904

Woodhouse's Toad

TOBUWOT

AD1 12-Jun-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Wetland Russian Olive grassland 15 345922 5109861

Western Yellow-bellied

Racer TOCOCA1 12-May-09 Incidental Russian Olive grassland road 1 347114 5108442

Nothern Pacific

Rattlesnake TOCRVI1 22-Jul-09 VES Shrub-steppe Rock outcrop 1 346845 5109232

Nothern Pacific

Rattlesnake TOCRVI2 22-Jul-09 VES Shrub-steppe Rock outcrop 1 347015 5109289

Nothern Pacific

Rattlesnake TOCRVI3 22-Jul-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Rock pile Russian Olive grassland 1 346137 5109745

Nothern Pacific

Rattlesnake TOCRVI4 22-Jul-09 VES Russian Olive grassland road 1 346553 5108789

Nothern Pacific

Rattlesnake TOCRVI5 23-Jul-09 Incidental Russian Olive grassland road 1 346567 5108772

Great Basin Gopher

Snake TOPICA1 22-Jul-09 VES Russian Olive grassland road 1 345683 5109661

American Bullfrog TORACT1 29-Apr-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Shoreline river 20 346007 5109928

American Bullfrog TORACT2 29-Apr-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Shoreline river 3 346214 5109702

American Bullfrog TORACT3 30-Apr-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Pond Russian Olive grassland 6 346290 5109614

American Bullfrog TORACT4 18-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Canal Wetland 12 344759 5110935

American Bullfrog TORACT5 18-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline Inlet Shoreline river 4 344759 5110935

American Bullfrog TORACT6 20-May-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Wetland Pond 1 344782 5110842

American Bullfrog TORACT7 12-Jun-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Wetland Russian Olive grassland 4 345967 5109873

American Bullfrog TORACT8 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Russian Olive grassland 3 345945 5109839

American Bullfrog TORACT9 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive grassland 5 346181 5109701

American Bullfrog TORACT10 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Canal Wetland 4 344877 5110680

American Bullfrog TORACT11 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Canal Wetland 5 344741 5110921

American Bullfrog TORACT12 14-Jun-09 Funnel Trap Pond Shoreline river 3 345994 5109939

American Bullfrog TORACT13 22-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Wetland Shoreline river 1 346823 5109452

American Bullfrog TORACT14 22-Jul-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Shoreline river 10 346581 5109543

American Bullfrog TORACT15 22-Jul-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Canal Wetland 5 344749 5110875

American Bullfrog TORACT16 22-Jul-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Canal Wetland 1 344752 5110924



Appendix C. (con’t) Species detection tables for Toothacre HMU, 2009 surveys.

Species MWFB name

Detection

date Detection Method Primary habitat Secondary habitat Individuals Easting Northing

American Bullfrog TORACT17 23-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Wetland Shoreline river 1 346765 5109480

American Bullfrog TORACT18 09-Aug-09 Funnel Trap Pond Russian Olive grassland 1 346279 5109617




American Bullfrog TORACT22 09-Aug-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond 7 344741 5110935


American Bullfrog TORACTEGG1 12-Jun-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Wetland Russian Olive grassland >1,500 345893 5109841

American Bullfrog TORACTTAD1 30-Apr-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Pond Russian Olive grassland 1 346197 5109713

American Bullfrog TORACTTAD2 12-Jun-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Pond Shoreline river 1 346005 5109922

American Bullfrog TORACTTAD3 24-Jul-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Wetland Shoreline river 1 346578 5109544

Great Basin Spadefoot TOSPIN1 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Russian Olive grassland 15 345958 5109723

Great Basin Spadefoot TOSPINout1 12-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Irrigated grassland Pond 3 346754 5108745



APPENDIX D. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR YAKIMA DELTA HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Species MWFB name Detection date Detection Method Primary habitat Secondary habitat Individuals Easting Northing

Pacific Treefrog YDCHPSRE1 28-Apr-09 VES Shoreline inlet Wetland 4 325427 5124439

Pacific Treefrog YDCHPSRE2 21-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Bunchgrass 20 325174 5124434

Pacific Treefrog YDCHPSRE3 21-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline inlet Russian Olive 15 325350 5124469

Pacific Treefrog YDCHPSRE4 21-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline inlet Grassland 7 325569 5124531

Pacific Treefrog YDPSRE1 30-Apr-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 100 326539 5123320

Pacific Treefrog YDPSRE2 30-Apr-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 24 326701 5123228

Pacific Treefrog YDPSRE3 01-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive 50 322496 5125780



Pacific Treefrog YDPSRE6 13-Jun-09 Funnel Trap Pond Wetland 3 326511 5123322

Pacific Treefrog YDPSRE7 11-Aug-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive 2 322461 5125772

Great Basin Gopher Snake YDPICA1 13-Jun-09 Incidental Russian Olive 1 325982 5123389

American Bullfrog YDRACT1 01-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive 1 323322 5125370

American Bullfrog YDRACT2 13-Jun-09 Funnel Trap Pond Wetland 3 326559 5123319

American Bullfrog YDRACT3 13-Jun-09 Funnel Trap Pond Wetland 1 326524 5123324

American Bullfrog YDRACT4 14-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 4 326562 5123245

American Bullfrog YDRACT5 14-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 1 326735 5123237

American Bullfrog YDRACT6 10-Aug-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 13 326536 5123261

American Bullfrog YDRACT7 10-Aug-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 230 326753 5123224

American Bullfrog YDRACT8 11-Aug-09 VES Shoreline river riparian 1 322341 5125894

American Bullfrog YDRACT9 11-Aug-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive 1 322461 5125772

American Bullfrog YDRACT10 11-Aug-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Shoreline river 1 323303 5125362

Great Basin Spadefoot YDSPIN1 20-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Shoreline river 1 323290 5125354

Great Basin Spadefoot YDSPIN2 20-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive 2 322499 5125789

Garter snake sp. YDThamnophis1 13-Jun-09 VES Grassland slope 1 325486 5123627

Terrestrial Garter Snake YDTHEL1 14-Jun-09 Incidental Rock pile Shoreline river 1 323396 5125269

Common Garter Snake YDTHSI1 11-Aug-09 VES riparian Shoreline river 1 323096 5125742

Painted Turtle YDCHPI1 27-Apr-09 Incidental Pond Wetland 1 326589 5123291

Painted Turtle YDCHPI2 27-Apr-09 Incidental Pond Wetland 1 326584 5123280



APPENDIX E. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR RICHLAND BEND HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Species MWFB name

Detection

date Method Primary habitat Secondary habitat Individuals Easting Northing

American Bullfrog RBRACT1 20-Jul-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 15 325987 5126877

American Bullfrog RBRACT2 20-Jul-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Pond 9 326008 5126841

American Bullfrog RBRACT3 21-Jul-09 VES Shoreline river Pond 6 325656 5127649

American Bullfrog RBRACT4 13-Aug-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Wetland Riparian 20 325935 5126864

Terrestrial Garter Snake RBTHEL1 20-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Wetland Pond 1 325997 5126866

APPENDIX F. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR HOOD PARK HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Species MWFB name Detection date Method Primary habitat Secondary habitat Individuals Easting Northing

Woodhouse's Toad HPBUWO1 11-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive 4 344845 5119933

Woodhouse's Toad HPBUWO2 11-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Russian Olive 1 344841 5119967

American Bullfrog HPRACT1 27-Apr-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Restoration 28 344816 5119891

American Bullfrog HPRACT2 27-Apr-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Pond Restoration 310 344827 5119643

Terrestrial Garter Snake HPTHEL1 13-Jun-09 Funnel Trap Pond Wetland 1 344864 5120008

Terrestrial Garter Snake HPTHEL2 13-Jun-09 Funnel Trap Pond Wetland 1 344884 5119595

Terrestrial Garter Snake HPTHEL3 12-Aug-09 VES Pond Grassland 1 344833 5119621



APPENDIX G. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR RIPARIA HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Species MWFB name Detection date Method Primary habitat Secondary habitat Individuals Easting Northing

Long-toed Salamander RAAMMA1 16-Jun-09 Funnel trapping Shoreline inlet Pond 1 416920 5158876

American Bullfrog RARACT1 18-Jul-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline inlet Pond 1 417165 5158817

Pacific Treefrog RAPSRE1 06-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline inlet Pond 12 416976 5158848

Pacific Treefrog RAPSRE2 06-May-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline inlet Pond 5 417001 5158963

Pacific Treefrog RAPSRE3 10-Jun-09 Anuran call/ eyeshine Shoreline inlet Pond 2 417038 5158835

Great Basin Gopher Snake RAPICA1 16-Jun-09 Incidental Grassland forb Tree plot (restoration) 1 416547 5158736

Great Basin Gopher Snake RAPICA2 17-Jun-09 Incidental Shoreline river 1 416569 5158725

Terrestrial Garter Snake RATHEL1 17-Jul-09 Funnel trapping Pond Grassland 1 416861 5158859

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake RIPACRVI1 17-Jun-09 Incidental Grassland forb 1 416433 5158778

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake RIPACRVI2 17-Jun-09 Incidental Grassland forb Rock outcrop 1 416958 5159061

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake RIPACRVI3 19-Jul-09 Incidental Shoreline river 1 416570 5158746

* Numbered detections refer to those plotted in Figure 11 for that particular species.



APPENDIX H. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR JOHN HENLEY HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Numbered

Detection * Species MWFB name Detection date Method Primary habitat

Secondary

habitat Individuals Easting Northing

1 Long-toed Salamander JHAMMA1 5/15/2009 Dipnet-Aquatic Ephemeral pond Draw 5 418923 5159532

1 Western Yellow-bellied Racer JHCOCA1 05-Aug-09 Funnel Trap Shrub plot (Restoration) 1 417437 5158945

1 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI1 09-Jun-09 VES Grassy draw 1 418960 5159575

2 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI2 09-Jun-09 VES Grassy draw 1 419693 5159835

3 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI3 09-Jun-09 Incidental Rock pile Railroad tracks 1 419194 5159354

4 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI4 10-Jun-09 VES Shrub plot (Restoration) 1 417990 5158989

5 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI5 10-Jun-09 VES Shrub plot (Restoration) 1 417989 5158983

6 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI6 18-Jun-09 Incidental Tree plot (Restoration) 1 418010 5158997

7 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI7 17-Jul-09 VES Shrub-steppe 1 418364 5159194

8 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI8 17-Jul-09 VES Shrub-steppe 1 418433 5159263

9 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI9 18-Jul-09 Incidental Grassland forb Grassland slope 1 418271 5159105

10 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI10 19-Jul-09 VES Bluffs 1 418932 5159472

11 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI11 19-Jul-09 VES Bluffs 1 418959 5159406

12 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI12 20-Jul-09 VES Restoration 1 417862 5158874

13 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI13 02-Aug-09 VES Shrub-steppe 1 418479 5159253

14 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI14 02-Aug-09 VES Shrub-steppe 1 418382 5159479

15 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI15 03-Aug-09 VES Grassland slope 1 418799 5158981

16 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake JHCRVI16 05-Aug-09 VES Road Grassland forb 1 419392 5159388

1 Western Skink JHEUSK1 06-May-09 Incidental Grassland slope Bunchgrass 1 416995 5160037

2 Western Skink JHEUSK2 05-Aug-09 VES Grassland slope Shrub-steppe 1 419645 5160072

1 Northern Desert Night Snake JHHYCH1 17-Jul-09 VES Bluffs

Bunchgrass,

Shrub-steppe 1 418502 5159297

1 Great Basin Gopher Snake JHPICA1 10-Jun-09 VES Tree plot (Restoration) 1 417793 5158809

2 Great Basin Gopher Snake JHPICA2 17-Jun-09 Incidental Grassland forb 1 418463 5159131

1 Great Basin Spadefoot JHSPIN1 10-Jun-09

Anuran call/

eyeshine Ephemeral pond Grassland forb 3 417471 5158711

1 Common Garter Snake JHTHSI1 05-Aug-09 Funnel Trap Shrub plot (Restoration) 1 417437 5158945




APPENDIX I. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR NISQUALLY JOHN CANYON HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Numbered

Detection* Species MWFB name

Detection

date Method Primary habitat

Secondary


1 Long-toed Salamander NJAMMA1 04-May-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Riparian creek Riparian 17 483990 5152334

2 Long-toed Salamander NJAMMA2 04-May-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Riparian creek 8 483803 5152271




6 Long-toed Salamander

NJAMMA6,

NJWT5 11-May-09 Guzzler Grassland slope Shoreline creek 18 482280 5153352

1 Western Toad NJBUBO1 11-May-09 Incidental Riparian creek Riparian 1 482306 5151110

2 Western Toad NJBUBO2 15-Jun-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Shoreline creek Wetland 1 482195 5150738

3 Western Toad NJBUBO3 15-Jun-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Shoreline creek Wetland 1 482170 5150748

1 Racer NJCOCA1 11-May-09 Dipnet-Aquatic RDD 1 482635 5151055

2 Racer NJCOCA2 11-May-09 Incidental Shoreline creek 1 482883 5151015

1 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake NJCRVI1 11-May-09 Incidental Rock outcrop Riparian 1 482905 5151008

2 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake NJCRVI2 27-Jul-09 VES Bluffs 1 482211 5153332

3 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake NJCRVI3 28-Jul-09 Incidental

Grassland/

blackberry edge Wetland 1 482170 5150780

4 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake NJCRVI4 28-Jul-09 Incidental

Grassland/

blackberry edge 1 482161 5150759

5 Northern Pacific Rattlesnake NJCRVI5 28-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Shoreline creek Grassland slope 1 482143 5153393

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake NJCRVI6 28-Jul-09 VES Grassland slope 1 482142 5153398

1 Great Basin Gopher Snake NJPICA1 15-Jul-09 VES Shoreline creek Riparian 1 482586 5151164

1 American Bullfrog NJRACT1 27-May-09

Frog Call

Eyeshine Shoreline creek Wetland 10 482198 5150784

2 American Bullfrog NJRACT2 15-Jun-09 Dipnet-Aquatic Shoreline creek Wetland 16 482198 5150717

1 Western Skink NJEUSK1 26-Apr-09 Incidental Rocky slope Grassland slope 1 484391 5152628

1 Terrestrial Garter Snake NJTHEL1 27-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Riparian creek Grassland slope 1 482198 5150732




APPENDIX J. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR ALPOWA CREEK HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Numbered

Detection Species MWFB name Detection date Method

Primary

habitat

Secondary


1 Long-toed Salamander ALAMMA1 15-Jun-10 Dipnet-Aquatic Shoreline inlet Shoreline river 1 483817 5140120

2 Long-toed Salamander ALAMMA2 14-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Shoreline inlet Shoreline river 1 483778 5140108




1 Pacific Treefrog ALPSRE1 05-May-09

Anuran call/

eyeshine Shoreline inlet Shoreline river 80 483764 5140107


Anuran call/

eyeshine Shoreline creek 4 483548 5139922


Anuran call/

eyeshine Shoreline inlet Shoreline river 50 483966 5140202


Anuran call/

eyeshine Pond Shoreline inlet 3 483588 5139850

5 Pacific Treefrog ALPSRE5 14-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Shoreline inlet Shoreline river 1 483802 5140123

6 Pacific Treefrog ALPSRE6 14-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Shoreline inlet Shoreline river 1 483838 5140145

1 American Bullfrog ALRACT1 15-Jun-10 Dipnet-Aquatic Shoreline inlet Shoreline river 1 483803 5140122

1 Terrestrial Garter Snake ALTHEL1 12-May-09 VES Shoreline creek Riparian 1 483775 5140106


APPENDIX K. SPECIES DETECTION TABLE FOR CHIEF TIMOTHY HMU, 2009 SURVEYS.

Numbered

Detection Species

MWFB

name

Detection

date Method Primary habitat Secondary habitat Individuals Easting Northing

1 American Bullfrog CTRACT1 17-May-09

Anuran call/

eyeshine Pond Shoreline river 9 487108 5141009


Anuran call/

eyeshine Pond 23 487132 5141067


Anuran call/

eyeshine Pond 2 486992 5140967

4 American Bullfrog CTRACT4 15-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Pond 2 487106 5141049



5 American Bullfrog CTRACT5 15-Jul-09 Funnel Trap Pond 1 487076 5141028

6 American Bullfrog CTRACT6 15-Jul-09 VES Pond 14 487132 5141035

7 American Bullfrog CTRACT7 01-Aug-09 VES Shoreline river 1 487228 5141166

8 American Bullfrog CTRACT8 01-Aug-09 VES Shoreline river 1 487410 5141271




APPENDIX L. SPECIES ACCOUNTS

This section provides information on life history and habitats for reptiles and amphibians within the

Lower Snake river and specific to the Columbia basin. Much of the life history and habitat information in

the species accounts is derived from the Washington Herp Atlas, unless otherwise noted (Washington

Herp Atlas, 2005. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, U.S.D.I.

Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service. http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/ last

accessed 21 February 2009).


The Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) is the most widespread salamander species in

Washington, and it is named for its unusually longer fourth toe. The subspecies in our study area and the

Columbia basin is the Central Long-toed Salamander (A. m. columbianus). Long-toed Salamanders are

“pond type” breeders in that they lay eggs in slow-moving or lentic waters. No stream-breeding

salamanders are known to occur in the lower Snake River region. Long-toed Salamanders are capable of

exploiting a variety of habitats including sagebrush, conifer forest, oak and alpine meadows. They may

use lakes, ponds, wetlands, ditches, slow moving springs, semi-permanent puddles to breed in; usually in

bodies of water where fish are absent, but this can vary with microhabitat complexity. Metamorphosed

salamanders will travel to breeding sites by moving within interstitial spaces, by rodent burrows and

under moist or decaying material, such as rocks, leaf litter and logs (Nafis 2009). Habitat for this species

in the Snake River Canyon has probably dwindled since dam construction, as many of the isolated

backwaters and pools formed by flows have largely disappeared. Snake River aerials from 1958 show the

river margins surrounding the study sites with much more complex microhabitat than the current, “lake”

shoreline of the Snake River today (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2002).

The Long-toed Salamander is a medium-sized salamander usually all dark grey or black with a

mottled yellow, greenish or light olive lateral stripe that runs from its head down the tail. Adults range in

size from 2.1 to 3.2 in (50 to 80 mm) snout-vent length, and have a laterally-compressed tail. Egg lying

commences in the Columbia basin in March and April, and egg development to hatching largely depends

on temperature, but spans from 2 to 5 weeks. Long-toed Salamander hatchlings are distinct from Tiger

Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) hatchlings in that they possess structures on the sides of the head

called balancers. Within two weeks or so of development, hatchlings lose the balancers, and as the gills

develop the top gill filament is usually longer than the other ones on the stalk, whereas in Tiger

Salamanders, all gill filaments are approximately equal length. Long-toed Salamander larvae rarely

exceed 85 mm total length, and as they metamorphose, the yellow dorsal stripe develops. In Washington

state, Long-toed Salamander larvae may metamorphose in the summer or fall of the first year, but larval

development is crucially dependent on water temperature, water quality and food resources.


The Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) primarily inhabits the Columbia basin plateau but can

also be found in certain portions of the Okanogan ecoregion. The most recent records for this species

from our study area are from the lower Snake River near its confluence with the Columbia. Older records

exist of Spadefoots from Spokane, Asotin and Garfield counties. Spadefoots require soft, loose soils for

burrowing during non-breeding months, where they remain completely fossorial until early spring rains,

often emerging late February to March to breed. Breeding occurs in a variety of seasonal water bodies,

including ditches, pools, ponds, and agricultural water sources. Once breeding is complete Spadefoots

spend the remainder of the year underground.

Spadefoots are typically explosive breeders, with emergence triggered by a rain or moisture

event. Eggs, once laid, typically hatch within a few days. Development of tadpoles varies from 1-2

months, depending on local water conditions, such as temperature (having the ability to metamorphose

faster if water temperatures reach a certain limit). Adult Spadefoots have vertical pupils and a black

spade-structure on each hind leg that facilitates digging in loose soils.



WESTERN TOAD

Western Toad, or the Boreal Toad (Bufo boreas boreas) occurs in most ecoregions in Washington. Their

presence within the Columbia basin in Washington State, however, is restricted to the southeastern

portion. Western Toads occur in a variety of habitat types, including prairies, forests, grasslands,

canyons, conifer and oak forests. They appear to be absent from shrub-steppe areas but do occur in

grasslands within southeastern Washington state. Western Toads utilize most permanent or semi-

permanent waters for breeding, including wetlands, ponds, lakes, impoundments and other shallow and

slow-moving water bodies. Breeding typically occurs mid-April through June, and embryonic

development takes approximately 2 weeks. Tadpoles metamorphose within approximately two months,

with newly metamorphosed toadlets emerging in large masses where the species is common and breeding

densities are high.

This species occurs with some overlap within the lower Snake River between Columbia and

Garfield counties, though Woodhouse’s Toads are known to range into Whitman and Asotin counties.

They can be distinguished from Woodhouse’s Toads by the apparent lack of “L”-shaped cranial crests

and enlarged, kidney-bean shaped paratoid glands. Both species are distinguishable by call as well, with

Western Toads giving a softer, more chirrup-or peeping-like sound.

WOODHOUSE’S TOAD

Woodhouse’s Toad, or the Rocky Mountain Toad (Bufo woodhousii woodhousii) is a native species

whose distribution in Washington state is limited to the Snake and Columbia Rivers within the Columbia

basin. This and the population along the upper Snake River floodplain in Idaho represent isolated and

disjunct populations from the rest of the Midwest. Woodhouse’s Toads adults and newly morphed

toadlets are terrestrial, spending most of their time away from water except to breed. Mature

Woodhouse’s Toads are among the largest toads in North America, and can be gray, light brown and

olive colors with dark splotches with splotched bellies and a white dorsal stripe running from snout to

vent. Their paratoid glands are elongated and oval-shaped; this trait along with the “L”-shaped cranial

crests and voice distinguish them from the Western Toad. Western and Woodhouse’s Toads overlap in

distribution where Western Toads range north into the lower Snake River canyon in extreme north

Garfield, Asotin and southern Whitman counties (WA Herp Atlas 2005).

Woodhouse’s Toads occupy a variety of habitats; in the Snake River canyon, they can be found

near sagebrush, riparian and grassland habitats or crossing roads and other habitats as they migrate to

water to breed. Aquatic breeding habitat includes still-water ponds, ephemeral pools and ditches. As an

adaptation to explosive breeding in arid habitats, egg to tadpole development is rapid, and metamorphism

to adult occurs approximately in 2 months.

PACIFIC TREEFROG

The Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) is native to the Pacific states, along with parts of Idaho,

Montana and Nevada. It is the most commonly heard frog in the state of Washington. Adult frogs can be

solid, spotted and blotched in a range of colors from red to green to grey. Its most conspicuous field mark

is the black “mask” that extends from the nostrils, widening at the eye and tympanum through to the

shoulder. In Eastern Washington males can start calling weeks before onset of breeding, starting around

April. Breeding can be prolonged, lasting 3 to 4 months; at the peak of breeding season, males even

chorus during daylight hours. Tadpoles are dark brown to olive, oftentimes with black speckling on the

dorsum and iridescent white on the ventral side. Tadpole eyes are offset to the margins of the head, such

that if viewed from above, the eyes would protrude from the outline of the head. In Washington, this is

the only anuran with eyes offset in this manner; this character along with toepads distinguish Pacific

Treefrogs from all other anurans in the state.

In the Columbia basin, transformed Pacific Treefrogs are terrestrial, using damp forests, riparian,

shrubland, grassland and other habitats near a source of water. They can breed in disturbed and urban

areas with any sort of standing water - wetland, pond edges, stillwaters of rivers, puddles, ditches, deep

tire ruts.



AMERICAN BULLFROG

The American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is an invasive but naturalized species in Washington state and

most western states, where it was probably introduced in the 1920’s as a source of food for their large

meaty legs. The Bullfrog has since exploded in range, out competing local amphibians (Nafis 2009).

They are mostly aquatic even in the transformed phase, and can almost always be found near water (Nafis

2009). Bullfrogs emerge in late spring to breed, lay eggs in giant masses. Bullfrog tadpoles often take 2

to 3 years to mature before metamorphosing; because of this, they require permanent or semi-permanent

water bodies to breed.

In Washington, Bullfrogs are known from Puget Sound and along a great extent of the Columbia

River, parts of the Pend Oreille River as well as scattered populations in Okanogan, Klickitat and other

western counties. In the Columbia Basin, Bullfrogs are known from the Columbia/ Snake River

confluence and further upstream in extreme north Garfield and Asotin counties with scattered populations

in Spokane, Adams and Yakima counties (WA Herp Atlas, 2005).

PAINTED TURTLE

Painted Turtle are native to most areas of Washington, and have been documented in all Washington state

ecoregions. Most occurrences are at the lower elevations of eastern Washington, the Columbia Gorge and

the Puget Trough, where this species is suspected to have been introduced to, and likely did not occur

there historically. This species is common where they occur in Washington, and occupy a variety of

aquatic habitats including lakes, ponds, wetlands, and slow-moving portions of rivers and creeks.

Basking structure, such as submerged logs, debris and aquatic vegetation are required for basking sites

within water bodies. Outside the water, terrestrial habitats include shrub-steppe, grassland and forest.

Painted turtles are medium-sized with a dark upper shell (carapace), often with striking patterning

on the head and bright red coloration on the lower shell (plastron). This species typically emerges in late

March through April, and breeding occurs in June and July.

WESTERN SKINK

The Western [Skilton’s] Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus) is the subspecies of Western Skink

in our study area. It occurs primarily in the eastern and northeastern part of the state, in parts of the

Columbia basin, eastern Cascades, and in the Blue Mountains. It is a smooth-scaled, relatively small

lizard (5 to 9 centimeters, snout-vent length) with a dark brown mid-dorsal stripe running from the snout

to the tail lined with alternating cream-white and black stripes down the sides. Juvenile lizards have an

almost-fluorescent blue tail and bold striping; as the lizard ages, the blue fades to a blue-grey or

brownish-gray. This is the only lizard in Washington state with a bright blue tail, mid-dorsal stripe and

shiny, smooth scales. During breeding season males may develop orange to reddish coloring along the

chin and sides of the face.

In the Columbia basin, they can exploit semi-arid and moist environments, ranging from shrub-

steppe, basalt rock outcroppings, dry forests and grasslands to edges of creeks and ponds with lots of

vegetation (pers. obs., Nafis 2009). They can be found sifting through leaf litter and other woody debris

and turning rocks and other cover objects.

RUBBER BOA

The Rubber Boa (Charina bottae) is a thick-bodied, small-scaled and robust-looking snake. Adults can

range in size from 35 to 85 cm, though they are typically within the smaller end of this spectrum (Nafis

2009). The end of its tail is blunt and can be confused with its head. The scales are smooth and it ranges

in color from pink, tan, olive, brown or dark grey with a pale belly with mottling; juveniles can be

brighter in color, even rosy pink (Nafis 2009). It can be distinguished from the Racer (Coluber

constrictor mormon) with its small eyes, thick body, small dorsal scales, vertical pupils and rather



sluggish, non-aggressive behavior. Rubber Boas can be active in temperatures that may be too cool for

some other species – at surface temperatures in the fifties Fahrenheit (Nafis 2009).

Though Rubber Boas have not been studied in detail in Washington, they are thought to start

emerging from wintering sites around March, with breeding occurring around April and May.

Distribution of Rubber Boas in the state is patchy, but they have been found to occupy forest, grasslands

and prairie habitats but have also been found in wet forests of the Pacific Northwest ecoregion, as well as

in arid shrub-steppe in the Columbia basin. Rubber Boas are nocturnal and fossorial, spending much of

their time underground or moving in interstitial spaces throughout habitat, which makes them difficult to

detect. It may be possible to return to a site year and year and detect them or find shed skins.


The Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon) is the subspecies of the Racer which

occurs in our study area. Racers are known for their speed on the ground and the visual tracking of prey,

which they accomplish by stalking prey with their heads elevated off the ground. Racers can grow to

lengths of 51 to 190 centimeters but are typically under 91 cm in length on the west coast (Stebbins

2003). They have seemingly large eyes for their long, skinny bodies, which consist of smooth scales.

Adults are long and smooth in appearance, often olive green, pale blue-gray or brownish above with

cream or yellow bellies below. Juvenile snakes are blotched or patterned on the dorsum, with the pattern

fading on the tail (Nafis 2009, Stebbins 2003).

Racers favor semi-arid and moist habitats including meadows, wetland edges, grassland,

sagebrush, and woodlands. They are absent from extremely dry habitats and high mountains (Stebbins

2003). In Washington state, the Western Yellow-bellied Racer occurs primarily east of the Cascades

throughout the Columbia basin, with records from the Snake/ Columbia River confluence and upstream in

southern Whitman county (WDFW 2009).


The subspecies of Gopher Snake in our study area is known as the Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis

catenifer deserticola). In Washington state, Gopher Snakes are only found east of the Cascades where

their distribution spans the Columbia basin (WA Herp Atlas, 2005). Known by locals as the “bullsnake”,

it is one of the most widespread and commonly occurring herptile species in the Columbia basin. They

are often mistaken for rattlesnakes, which differ in that rattlesnakes have vertical pupils, possess vertical

“sensing” pits and a rattle (which Gopher Snakes will often mimic by shaking their rattle-less tails and

hissing). Gopher Snakes have keeled dorsal scales, and are usually a beige or tan color overall with dark,

squarish blotching along the dorsal side and smaller dark markings along their sides.

Gopher Snakes specialize in small mammals for prey, though they will take birds, bird eggs,

lizards and insects (Nafis 2009). While active day or night depending on temperatures, they commonly

bask, fully extended, on paved or gravel roads in the evening or early morning hours. In Washington

state, they can be found in shrub-steppe, white oak and ponderosa forests and often spend the majority of

hot days underground in small mammal burrows.

COMMON GARTER SNAKE

The Common, or Valley Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi) is the subspecies known from the

southeastern portion of Washington and the Columbia Basin. This Common Garter Snake is the most

widespread garter snake in Washington, with several subspecies recognized for different areas. Its

variation in dorsal coloration is among the most variable of all garter snakes in Washington. This species

is nearly always found near water habitats consisting of slow-moving creeks, ponds, rivers,

impoundments. Common Garter Snakes typically prey on frogs, fish, other snakes and occasionally

rodents. They emerge from wintering sites around March, with males emerging sooner than females.

Once mating is complete, snakes remain in the breeding areas before dispersing to summering habitats.



This is typically the only garter snake in Washington state with red patches running the side of

the body above the lateral stripe. Eastern Washington snakes are typically dark with bright yellow dorsal

and lateral stripes and bright red markings. Labial scales (facial scales from the snout to the ear) typically

are 7, but can be occasionally 8.

WANDERING GARTER SNAKE

The Wandering Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) is the subspecies of Western Terrestrial

Garter Snake that occurs in our study area. It is a relatively slender snake of medium length, head just

barely wider than body. They are variable in color, but like most other garter snake species, exhibit a

lateral striping pattern along the body. They usually have a green, grey or brownish background with

yellow, brownish, orange, dorsal and lateral stripes from the head that fade into the tail (Nafis 2009).

Wandering Garter Snakes are typically diurnal, and in arid climates like the Columbia basin, are

likely to be found near a water source, though they are chiefly terrestrial (Stebbins 2003, Nafis 2009).

They can occupy a variety of habitats, including shrub-steppe, grassy meadows, forests and riparian areas

(Nafis 2009). Our one detection occurred bordering wetland habitat.

NORTHERN DESERT NIGHT SNAKE

The Night Snake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea) is also known as the Northern Desert Night Snake, a secretive

and seemingly uncommon species, probably owing to their nocturnal nature. In Washington, Night

Snakes are known from isolated records in the Columbia Basin, eastern Cascades and Okanogan

ecoregions. Historical record of this species from the McNary Wildlife Refuge, Prescott and Pateros

areas should be updated, as no recent observations are known. Recent survey efforts in western portion of

the Columbia basin (middle of Washington state) have increased the knowledge of this species

distribution and habitat associations (Weaver 2008). Habitat use includes arid areas with shrub-steppe,

rock escarpments, and sagebrush flats. In higher elevations, the Night Snake has been found in ponderosa

pine forest. Night Snakes are active April – October, and hunt for prey (insects, lizards, smaller snakes)

at night and in evenings.


The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) is the subspecies of Western Rattlesnake

that occurs in our study area. It is the only venomous snake within our study area. One of the most

widely known characters is the rattle, which grows by one “button” at a time, each time the snake sheds

its skin. The cryptic coloration depends on the substrate where they can be found – from brown to olive

with dark spots 2/3 of the way along the dorsum lined with black and white that change to dark bars

which appear like rings closer to the tail (Nafis 2009). Dorsal scales are strongly keeled, and the scale

above the eye is enlarged. Pupils are vertical, and along the snout, small holes or “pits” are capable of

detecting infrared heat. Gopher Snakes have round pupils, smaller dorsal spots in more of a checkered

pattern, a dark band over the eyes and the top of the head, more weakly keeled scales, and lack pits and a

rattle. Night Snake can be distinguished from juvenile Western Rattlesnakes by the smooth scales,

smaller, denser dark markings, and lack of pits and a rattle.

The distribution of Northern Pacific Rattlesnake in Washington spans the Columbia Basin, and is

only found east of the Cascades (WA Herp Atlas, 2005, WDFW 2009). They begin to emerge from

winter hibernacula in the Columbia Basin around April, when temperatures begin to warm up. Mating

will take place in the vicinity of the hibernacula, before adults disperse to summer wintering grounds.

They occupy a variety of habitats, from open forest to shrub steppe, and are known to over winter in rock

outcropping, talus and burrows (Nafis 2009). Our numerous findings of Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

demonstrate that this species is truly a habitat generalist, and was found in the greatest variety of habitats

of all species detected (Figure 37).



Appendix M. List of scientific names for plant species used in this report

Common name Genus Species Common name Genus Species

Alder sp. Alnus sp. mulberry sp. Morus alba

arrow-leaf

balsamroot Balsamorhiza sagittata mullein Verbascum sp.

Aspen Populus tremuloides mustard sp. Brassica sp.

Big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata

native blackberry

sp. Rubus sp.

Black

cottonwood Populus balsamifera

Perennial

pepperweed Lepidium latifolium

bluebunch

wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata pine sp. Pinus sp.

Broom

snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Plum Prunus sp.

buckwheat Eriogonum sp. poison hemlock Conium maculatum

cattail Typha sp. Prairie goldenrod Oligoneuron album

cheatgrass Bromus tectorum prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola

Common reed

grass Phragmites australis Rubber rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa

Currant sp. Ribes sp. Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea

Elderberry sp. Sambucus sp. Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia

False indigo Amorpha fruiticosa Russian thistle Salsola sp.

fiddleneck Amsinckia sp. sandbar willow Salix exigua

Hawthorn Crataegus sp. serviceberry Amelanchier sp.

Himalayan

blackberry Rubus armeniacus Smooth sumac Rhus glabra

Horsetail Equisetum sp. sunflower sp. Helianthus sp.

Intermediate

wheatgrass Thinopyrum intermedium teasel sp. Dipsacus fullonum

Japanese

honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima

Tule reed Scripus acutus

Juniper sp. Juniperus sp. vetch Vicia cracca

Locust sp. Robinia pseudoacacia wild rose Rosa sp.

Maple sp. Acer sp. Willow Salix sp.

medusahead Taeniatherum caput-medusae Yarrow Achillea millefolium

mint sp. Mentha requienii Yellow rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

Nomenclature follows the US Dept of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database,

http://plants.usda.gov/ date last accessed: 1 June 2009

Documents

Herpetofauna of the Lower Snake River HMUs