Smith, Brian E. 1996. A Herpetological Survey of Wind Cave National Park. 63 p.

Abstract

The herpetofauna of Wind Cave National Park was surveyed May-August of 1996. A variety of standard herpetological survey techniques were used, including drift fences, quadrats, calling surveys, visual encounter surveys, road cruises, and turtle traps. These techniques were compared and contrasted. For the common types of habitats found in Wind Cave National Park, and especially ponderosa pine forests, it was found that only visual encounter surveys and road cruises were effective in sampling herpetofauna. Turtle traps and calling surveys were found to be useful for certain specialized applications. The herpetofauna of the park is summarized in a series of species accounts.