BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE (Montana) 03 July 11 Rare frog an exciting find for Montana biologists (Daniel Person)
The plains spadefoot, a rare toad, is generally found in, well, the plains.
So, biologists were understandably surprised when they discovered a small population of the animals around Hebgen Lake and the piney hills around the reservoir three years ago. And that goes double for their subsequent discovery that not only does the tiny, burrowing frog exist around the lake, but it seems to be doing quite well.
"It's hugely exciting," said Bryce Maxell, interim director of the Montana Natural Heritage Program. "It's really amazing. You can understand why they are breeding where they are at, but it is amazing they have persisted."
The plains spadefoot is considered a "species of concern," an unofficial designation meant to alert land managers and others that a species could become endangered if it loses more habitat or faces other pressures.
Credit for the Hebgen Lake discovery goes to biologists with the Gallatin National Forest. They were doing unrelated research when they stumbled upon the frogs.
"We didn't have a clue they were in the basin," said forest biologist Bruce Roberts, who added that the nearest known population is 110 miles away near Three Forks.
The frogs need sandy earth that they can burrow into, in part to avoid the cold. Maxell said some plains spadefoots have been found to burrow 20 feet underground during harsh Canadian winters.
Roberts said it appears the frogs were able to take advantage of coves created by the reservoir that are perfect habitat for the animals. The frogs are also finding habitat in the lodgepole pine covered hills near West Yellowstone.
"That's what makes this so unique. Like the name suggests, they live in the plains. In West Yellowstone, they live in the lodgepoles," he said. "Based on what we're seeing, it's appearing like it's a healthy population."
But while the sensitive frogs are having success in the area, the forest service now wants to help the species along.
Roberts is working on a project that would create new coves where the spadefoots are already living in.
The project would entail creating three breeding areas by excavating small, shallow depressions in the sedge flats close to the lake that would fill and drain.
The project is being funded with a $5,000 grant from PPL Montana, the company that owns and operates the Hebgen Dam.
Maxell said the project is a good idea because it will help counter pressures on the toad such as increased vehicle traffic around the lake.
"It's a good way to mitigate other impacts," Maxell said. "(Roberts) is showing some foresight. ... He deserves kudos for that."
That said, Roberts said he is considering scaling back the project somewhat, given how well the toads are doing on their own.
"We do have more than we thought we did," he said.
Rare frog an exciting find for Montana biologists