Reptiles and Amphibians

Snakes like this prairie rattlesnake are an important part of the food web and eat animals like mice, rats, and prairie dogs.

NPS Photo

 

The trilling song of chorus frogs. The buzz of a rattlesnake's rattle. Both reptiles and amphibians add to Wind Cave's soundscape while making up yet another important part of the ecosystem.

 

 

Woodhouse's toads are often heard at seasonal ponds and can grow up to five inches long.

NPS Photo

Amphibians

All amphibians require water to complete their life cycle. They must lay their eggs in water, where their aquatic larvae will spend the first few months or years of life. However, large bodies of standing, permanent water are nonexistent in Wind Cave National Park. How can amphibians survive, then, if there’s no permanent water?

The story of amphibian survival is a story of the ephemeral, or seasonal, ponds that are filled each spring. These ponds are fed by snowmelt and rain, and usually remain wet for a few weeks until midsummer. These ponds, which look like mere puddles to a passerby, are hotspots for amphibian activity. They provide the habitat and food necessary for the next generation’s survival.

 

Seasonal ponds like the Bison Flats Pond are critical to the survival of many amphibian species.

NPS Photo

However, life remains challenging on the prairie for amphibians. The prairie is an unpredictable environment with periods of drought. There may be years where no ponds fill up, or they dry out quickly.

What can an amphibian do when it’s too cold, or too dry? Hide! Amphibians survive the harsh prairie by hiding underground, in damp, cool soil until conditions are just right. These animals can spend most of their lives underground, in dormancy, until the next spring rain reawakens them. Then, it is time to repopulate the spring prairie ponds and start the cycle again.

Amphibians, though sparse, are easy to track at Wind Cave. Driving carefully at night in the spring, it is common to see toads crossing the road. You may also hear frogs and toads chirping at ponds or streams.

 

Snapping turtles are one of the only turtles found in the park.

NPS Photo / Timm Richardson

Reptiles

Several species of reptiles also call Wind Cave National Park home, and they, too, are survivors of a harsh climate. Unable to produce their own body heat, reptiles are forced to gather the heat from external conditions. However, because the park has an average annual temperature of just 49° F (9° C), reptiles, like amphibians, can only stay active in the park for a few months of the year.

Most reptiles in the park are snake species. While two species of turtle have been spotted, the common snapping turtle and the western painted turtle, the lack of permanent water sources makes the park poorly suited for a permanent population of turtles.

 

Yellow-bellied racers are common throughout the park during the summer.

NPS Photo / Abby Rimstidt

Snakes, however, thrive on the prairie. In the warmer months, it is common to see a snake on a trailside, basking in the road or on a rock, or creeping through the undergrowth of long grass. Garter snakes and milk snakes are small species that are often seen around the visitor center. Bullsnakes are also often seen around the visitor center and parking lot, and can grow up to four feet long making them South Dakota's largest snake. They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to their similar appearance and will even mimic rattlesnake behavior. If theatened, they may curl up defensively, flatten their head and neck, or even vibrate their tail in dry leaves to mimic a rattle.

The only venomous snake found in the park is the prairie rattlesnake. While exploring, be aware of your surroundings. Rattlesnakes are often found in prairie dog towns and rocky areas. However, prairie rattlesnakes are not aggressive and will avoid conflict as long as they are given plenty of space. Although rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal, they require immediate medical attention.

Snakes are an integral part of the ecosystem for their role as both predator and prey. When encountered, it can be rewarding to watch the hardy reptile in its natural environment from a safe distance as it slithers off into the prairie grass.

 

Rattlesnake vs. Bullsnake

Left image
Rattlesnakes can be identified by their triangular head, slit shaped pupils, and rattle.
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Bullsnakes can be identified by their oval shaped head and large, round pupils.
Credit: NPS Photo

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

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Species attribute definitions

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