ECOS Guide to the Ecology of the Northern Rockies
 
   
 

Reptile Guide

The Reptile Guide is an online interactive database of the 18 species that are known to occur in western Montana, with detailed descriptions of all common species. To the extent possible our descriptions and photos describe the specifics of these species and their ecology in western Montana. See links below to access the reptile guide.

Note that habitat descriptions for reptiles are slightly different than those for other groups because they generally relate to small habitat features rather than specific climatic zones or forest types.

Reptiles are one of the most diverse and ancient vertebrate groups with nearly 8,000 species of lizards and snakes, and about 300 species of turtles and their relatives. While there are not many species in western Montana (14), these species are extremely important to learn about for conservation, as well as to learn about some of the amazing adaptations required for these animals to survive in our cold northern climate. In general places like Montana have fewer species of reptiles because of challenges in them having enough time and energy to complete their life cycle in the mostly cold and short growing seasons that we have here. Their cold-blooded physiology can be a real limitation in many mountain habitats in western Montana. Recent declines in reptile species are mostly due to human impacts on their often specialized habitats and sometimes by direct human impact such as collecting and hunting, roadkills, or even deliberate poisoning or trapping to eliminate them. Reptiles are particularly sensitive to development in dry open rocky habitats, but can also be associated with wetlands as well.

Some reptiles, especially snakes invoke strong fears in many people, and so are often misunderstood or under appreciated as key elements in the diversity and functioning of healthy ecosystems. In reality it is very rare to get bitten by a snake, and here in western Montana it quite unusual to see a venomous snake. People hiking in the rattlesnake watershed near Missoula for example, rarely ever see a rattlesnake. Venom, from the few species that have them (rattlesnakes), mostly function for subduing prey, not self-defense.

What if I'm bitten by a snake?

For more information on amphibians:

 
 
The ECOS program is sponsored by the University of Montana's Division of Biological Sciences, and the College of Forestry and Conservation. Carol Brewer Program Director, Division of Biological Sciences. Paul Alaback Program Co-Director, College of Forestry and Conservation.
NSF LogoECOS is supported by the GK-12 Program of the National Science Foundation.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.