Reptiles in Managed Woodlands - Tools for Family Forestland Owners
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Reptiles in Managed Woodlands
Tools for Family Forestland Owners
Authors: Eliana Pool, Cafferata Consulting; Barbara Garcia, United States Forest Service;
Susan Barnes, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Lauren Grand, Oregon State University Forestry Extension;
and Jennifer Weikel, Oregon Department of Forestry
Introduction Western Pond Turtle
Reptiles are some of the most ancient and
interesting animals on earth. Not only do
they remind us of their dinosaur relatives,
but reptiles are of great ecological impor-
tance, serving critical roles in ecosystems.
They are found on all continents, except
Antarctica and there are 29 distinct species
of reptiles found in Oregon and Washing-
ton. They occur in upland (dry), aquatic
(wet), or a combination of these habitats.
They are both prey (eaten by fish, mam-
mals, birds, and other reptiles) and preda-
tors (eating insects, snails, slugs, worms,
amphibians, other reptiles, and small
mammals). The reptiles group includes
a variety of species such as turtles (e.g.,
western pond turtle), lizards (e.g., western Photo by Keith Kohl
fence lizard), and snakes (e.g., rubber boa).
Reptiles may also provide species manage- growth and reproduction, and helps reptiles found in forested habitats in
ment and disease control by eating animals them adapt to periodic shortages of food, Oregon and Washington and will describe
such as rodents and slugs. water, and oxygen. Reptiles have limited common threats and management rec-
Reptiles are scaly ectotherms, or cold- capability to move quickly out of harm’s ommendations to help provide for these
blooded animals, who regulate their way, travel long distances or across bar- remarkable animals. Knowing the differ-
internal temperature by the external riers such as roads, rivers, and developed ence between reptiles and amphibians can
environment. Their specialized physiology landscapes. They often spend most of be confusing. Our callout box explains
allows for more energy to be put toward their time at specific breeding locations or the differences.
over-wintering sites to which they return
Western Fence Lizard year after year, following particular migra- Rubber Boa Snake
tion routes. These characteristics make
reptiles sensitive to habitat loss, degrada-
tion, fragmentation, and to disturbances at
breeding and over-wintering sites.
Woodland owners in Oregon and Wash-
ington can promote habitat for reptiles on
their property and improve overall ecosys-
tem health. This publication focuses on
Photo by Keith Kohl Photo by Simon Wray
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Physical Traits Amphibian Reptile
Smooth, moist and sometimes sticky Dry and scaly. Scales are made of keratin.
Skin Texture
skin. Laden with mucous glands. Skin is found underneath the scales.
Have soft gel surrounding their eggs Amniotic egg. Have hard, leathery eggs
Eggs/Young without any hard covering. Usually, laid on land or they keep eggs in their
found in water or damp places. bodies until they hatch.
Short fore limbs and long hind limbs Reptiles usually have four limbs, but some
Limbs
with four or five webbed digits. reptiles (snakes) have no limbs.
Yes. Breathes water through gills until it No. Looks like a miniature adult when
Metamorphosis*
develops lungs. born.
Method of breathing Gills and lungs Lungs
Nails and teeth (some have venom).
Toxic skin secretions and can bite. No
Defense Reptiles have scales, which act as armor to
nails.
physically defend the body.
Examples Frog, toad, newts, salamanders Snakes, lizards, turtles
*Metamorphosis is the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
Habitat pond turtle spends the winter buried under Many reptiles have periods of dormancy.
Reptiles are found in forests, deserts, grass- leaf litter in forested habitats, sometimes This means that their bodies shut down
lands, lakes, and everywhere in between. at the base of trees or near logs. When and conserve energy for the coming year.
For many reptiles the utilization of a variety reptiles lay eggs, they need to find warm During this time, they may not eat, drink,
of habitats is critical for their success, discrete hiding places, usually in sparsely defecate or move for several weeks. In the
although populations and species diversity vegetated areas including forest edges and winter this dormancy period is referred
are typically higher in dry sunny regions forest openings. Some snakes and lizards to as hibernation and in the summer, it is
than in cooler, more temperate zones. lay their eggs in rock crevices or in empty called aestivation.
rodent burrows. Others deposit their eggs
Since reptiles are cold-blooded animals Upland Habitats
in or under rotting stumps or logs where
and therefore use the sun to thermoregu-
the heat of the decomposing plant material All species of reptiles in Oregon and Wash-
late, they often bask in sunny places.
incubates the eggs. ington use upland habitats, and for some,
Thermoregulation is a process that allows
reptiles to maintain their basic metabolic it is the only habitat they will use over the
processes (Pilliod et. al. 2017). Reptiles course of their lifetime. Upland habitats,
Western Painted Turtle
need help to maintain their body tempera- including forests, are very diverse and have
tures in the right range to enable them to key habitat elements that meet various
eat, hide, move, mate, nest and lay eggs critical life history needs like foraging
and to keep their bodily functions work- areas and places to nest, lay eggs, and raise
ing properly. The sun also helps them young. During periods of dormancy, rep-
maintain healthy levels of vitamins and tiles may be found in many places within
minerals. Both aquatic and upland habitat forested environments. For example,
basking areas are important for reptiles. Northern alligator lizards will seek refuge
They are so important, western painted under downed wood in coniferous forests.
turtles have been observed using the backs Other forest habitat features used by rep-
of loons to bask (Gelatt and Kelley 1995). tiles include abandoned mammal burrows,
leaf litter, soil, and bark.
Staying warm is a way of life for a reptile.
For example, in cool wet places the western Photo by Scott Fitkin, WDFW
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Forests are an important aspect of reptile
It is well known that reptiles habitat for some reptiles, they are gener-
life history because they provide a less vari-
are known for needing lots of ally less desirable than natural habitats.
able microclimate that protects dormant
reptiles from harsh conditions. It is estimat- sunshine. However, did you Often on warm, sunny days turtles and
ed that reptiles can reduce their energy use know that reptiles can overheat snakes can be seen lounging on logs
by 90-95% during dormant phases, which too? Reptiles have no way to and other exposed objects that are
becomes a vital survival instinct during cool down like people do and partially submerged in the water like
particularly cold winters or during sum- must find shade or some way to rocks, fallen limbs, and floating vegeta-
escape extreme heat. Reptiles tion. These basking sites are necessary
mers with prolonged periods of drought
have varying degrees of heat for thermoregulation and also provide
and high temperatures (ODFW 2015).
tolerances. protection from predators such as bass
Aquatic Habitats and other large fish. Garter snakes are
Some reptiles require aquatic habitats floodplains, and riparian fringes. Although often found in and near water and will
too! Aquatic habitats include wetlands, artificial features such as fire and irrigation sometimes swim to hunt frogs and even
rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, sloughs, ponds and ditches can provide aquatic fish. On cooler days, when cloud cover and
Table1. Native Reptiles found in forested habitats of Oregon and Washington
Species Range Habitat
Turtles
Eastern OR and WA; Found in slow-moving or still water (ponds,
Western painted turtle* Columbia River in OR and sloughs, streams, rivers and oxbow lakes) with
(Chrysemys picta bellii) WA; Puget Sound and mucky bottoms, floodplain woodlands, shrubby
Willamette Valley fields, roadsides, pastures, and open beaches.
Found in permanent and intermittent waters in-
Willamette Valley, Coast cluding marshes, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes.
Western pond turtle* Range and SW OR; Usually with areas of large amounts of vegetation
(Clemmys marmorata) Columbia Plateau OR and and basking sites. Require upland areas adjacent
WA, Puget Sound WA to water for egg laying and overwintering refugia.
Require nearby forested areas for overwintering
Lizards and Skinks
Often found in moist meadows in coniferous
Northern alligator lizard Western OR and WA
forests and riparian areas, oak-pine forest and
(Elgaria coerulea) and eastern WA.
forest edges.
Found in grasslands, chaparral, oak woodlands,
Southern alligator lizard Western OR and WA as
edges of coniferous forests, riparian zones, and
(Elgaria multicarinata) well as in northcentral OR
moist canyon bottoms.
Throughout OR except
Found in desert canyons, grasslands, hard-
Western fence lizard the Coast Range and high
wood and coniferous forests, rocky areas and
(Sceloporus occidentalis) cascades; Puget Sound
chaparral.
Lowland, and central WA
Mostly throughout OR
Western skink Found in oak woodlands, less damp coniferous
except coastal areas and
(Eumeces skiltonianus) forests, pine and juniper woodlands.
high elevations; eastern WA
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Species Range Habitat
Snakes
Throughout most of OR
Found in a wide variety of habitats. Usually
Rubber boa and WA except the most
occur in close proximity to water. In forests use
(Charina bottae) coastal areas and some
logs, bark, flat rocks, crevices, and forest litter.
sagebrush areas.
Throughout OR except the Found in sagebrush flats, juniper woodlands,
Racer
Coast and Cascade ranges chaparral, meadows, and fields where rocks,
(Coluber constrictor)
and eastern WA logs, or dense shrubs are present.
OR Coast Range and the
Sharptail snake Found in oak woodlands, river valleys and
Willamette Valley and the
(Contia tenuis) canyons.
Puget Sound of WA
Found in a range of vegetation types; preference
for moist micro-habitats in pine-oak woodlands,
Ringneck snake West of the cascades
canyon bottoms and corridors in arid regions.
(Diadophis punctatus) in OR; SE WA coast range
Also found in coniferous and hardwood forests,
grasslands, and chaparral.
Found in sand dunes, rocky areas, grasslands,
California kingsnake Rogue and Umpqua River chaparral, and deciduous and mixed wood-
(Lampropeltis californiae) valleys, SW OR lands. Often found in close proximity to wet-
lands and other bodies of water.
Found in pine forests, oak woodlands, and
California mountain kingsnake SW OR; isolated popula-
chaparral with rotting logs or with open areas
(Lampropeltis zonata) tions in southcentral WA
near streams.
In OR: Mid- Columbia
Found in river valleys, grasslands, rocky areas,
Striped whipsnake River, Willamette Valley
deserts, chaparral, and coniferous and hard-
(Masticophis taeniatus) and eastern/southern &
wood forests.
SW; and in SE WA
Throughout OR except Found in herbaceous wetlands, riparian, scrub-
Gopher (Bull) snake
the Coast Range and high shrub wetlands, rocky areas, grasslands, deserts,
(Pituophis catenifer)
cascades; Eastern WA and savannas.
Pacific Coast aquatic garter snake Found in herbaceous wetlands, riparian areas,
SW OR
(Thamnophis atratus) rocky streams, rivers, and small lakes.
Generally, throughout
Found in a wider variety of habitats including
Terrestrial garter snake OR and WA except the
woodlands and open forests. Most commonly
(Thamnophis elegans) Cascades and Coast
found near water.
Range
Frequently associated with the coastal fog belt.
Northwestern garter snake Found throughout western
Inhabit brushy thickets, talus slopes and
(Thamnophis ordinoides) OR and WA
clearings in forests.
Found in herbaceous and forested scrub-shrub
Common garter snake
Throughout OR and WA wetlands, rivers, creeks, pools, riparian areas, rocky
(Thamnophis sirtalis)
areas, and hardwood and coniferous forests.
Throughout OR and east-
Northern Pacific rattlesnake* Usually found in drier regions. Typically found in
ern WA except along the
(Crotalus viridis) rocky areas with sparse vegetation.
coast and at high elevations
*Priority Species is a species that has special status from the State or the Federal government which means it may have
special protection.
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Rattlesnakes
The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the only species of venomous reptile native to Oregon and Washington. The
rattlesnake is named for the set of rattles located on the end of its tail that it uses as a warning to predators.
Although a bite from a Northern Pacific rattlesnake is painful, but not usually fatal, it is important to be able to
identify and avoid this species.
If you encounter a rattlesnake, give the snake space and a way to leave the scene. Typically, rattlesnakes will
avoid humans. Attempting to trap or move a snake is strongly discouraged as it can be dangerous for both you
and the snake. If you feel a snake is posing a risk, (like trapped in a building) contact your State fish and wildlife
agency office. Local agencies will have options in hand, including a list of local state-licensed Wildlife Control
Operators that can remove the snake if necessary. Avoid killing rattlesnakes, as they are major predators of small
mammals such as mice and voles.
Rattlesnakes have a triangular head with heat sensors that are visually similar to nostrils. Their tail will typically
have rattles, though younger snakes may only have a few rattles, or none at all. In some cases where the tail
lacks rattles, the snake can be identified by a distinct ring pattern at the base of the tail.
The gopher or bull snake native to the region can sometimes be confused with the rattlesnake because of similar
coloration, size, and defense mechanisms. Gopher snakes will flatten their head and shake their tail, but they are
not venomous.
Both species have dark blotches on a lighter background, but rattlesnakes often have an olive or grayish colora-
tion, whereas gopher snakes are generally brown in overall tint.
low temperatures extend for prolonged biologic and economic value. Much of the recreation use, heavy livestock grazing,
periods of time, reptiles will go into landscape in both states is actively man- manicured landscaping, mining and some
dormant or low energy states and look aged for various uses. Reptile habitat can timber practices. Uncharacteristic, high
for habitat that provides shelter from be completely lost, fragmented, converted intensity wildfire can also alter reptile
the elements. to non-habitat, and degraded by human habitat making it unsuitable (Pilliod et. al.
actions. Practices that remove or change 2017). As a whole, these land use activi-
Stressors and Threats the quality and quantity of native vegeta- ties affect reptile life history requirements
to Reptiles tion, compact soil, and remove or change including their need to forage, nest, bask,
Oregon and Washington provide diverse, reptile habitat are particularly impactful. thermoregulate, combat disease, and seek
rich ecosystems that have both high These include roadways, trails, heavy shelter from predators.
Northern Pacific Rattle Snake Gopher Snake
Photo by Scott Fitkin, WDFW Photo by Keith Kohl
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Fragmentation
Fragmentation can severely decrease the Invasive species
resiliency of a species, since there are fewer
In Oregon and Washington, the most common invasive species that prey
habitat options resulting in more vulner- upon and compete with reptiles are the American bullfrog, largemouth
ability and potential local extirpations. For bass, and the snapping turtle. It is a common and unfortunate saying
example, the western pond turtle spends a that these species will “eat anything they can fit into their mouths”.
portion of its life in an aquatic environment Reptiles are the most vulnerable to predation during the first stages of
but requires nearby upland habitat during their lives. Other less aggressive species, such as the red-slider turtle, still
periods of dormancy and for egg laying. If impact native reptile species by competing for resources such as food
the two requirements are disconnected or and nesting habitat. Invasive species can also be problematic for reptile
“fragmented” the turtle cannot fulfill its populations because they can carry diseases and parasites into native
basic life history needs and these popula- populations (ODFW 2015).
tions can disappear.
Road mortality is a significant concern for
many reptile species, particularly those that
make regular movements between aquatic resulting in less food for reptiles. For Management Practices
and upland habitats. Reptiles must often species that require aquatic habitats, less Reptiles are important forest wildlife
cross roads to move between foraging, water or water that is too warm may impact species that woodland owners can help
denning, and over-wintering sites. Some reptiles negatively (NatureServe 2009). and encourage through modification
reptiles, snakes in particular, use roads Heightened temperatures can also increase of current management practices. The
for basking and are at risk of becoming the need to aestivate instead of foraging following sections describe practices
roadkill. Grassy areas such as pastures, for- and building up fat stores. Even though woodland owners can implement to
est edges and clearings, and roadsides are reptiles are well equipped with scaly help reptiles and their habitat.
also potentially damaging to reptiles due protective skin, adaptation to temperature
changes may be challenging. Reptiles benefit greatly from protections
to regular management techniques such as of existing habitats that support all of
mowing (ODFW 2019). These managed ar- Chemicals their life stages. Particularly important
eas, while they may provide some habitat, are those habitats with diverse biological
Herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers all
often cause fragmentation and may not be features, such as riparian areas, which
have the potential to negatively affect
adequate to support all life stages. may contain both upland and aquatic
reptiles and their habitat. Chemical-
Climate caused degradation that impacts reptiles features. Protections that benefit reptiles
is caused by eliminating vegetation that include:
Forests are experiencing stress from
changes in climate patterns (Olson and provides cover and reducing insects that • Protect known hibernation and
Van Horne, 2017). During periods of low provide food. Reptiles are most vulner- nesting sites.
precipitation plant productivity is inhibited able to reduced cover and food availabil- • Protect and retain existing snags,
and invertebrate populations decline, ity during the breeding season (spring stumps, logs, and large rocks during
and early summer). Limiting or avoiding management activities.
chemical use during the breeding season
will minimize impacts to reptiles. In ad-
Painted Turtle Release dition, limited and targeted insecticide Northern Alligator Lizard
use helps maintain the availability of
insects for reptiles to eat. It is important
to use only herbicides labeled for aquatic
use when working near aquatic habitats
and to always follow the forest prac-
tices rules for buffers near waterways.
When chemicals are used in accordance
with labeled directions for appropriate
concentration and rates of application,
the likelihood of impacting reptiles and
other native wildlife is greatly reduced
Photo by Ashley Smithers (Pilliod et. al. 2017). Photo by Scott Fitkin, WDFW
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Western painted turtle underside Habitat Creation and Log Surrogate
Enhancement:
Developing an understanding of the types
of reptiles present on your woodland
will help guide the habitat creation and
enhancement techniques best suited for
existing reptile populations. However,
there are a number of general suggestions
that support a variety of reptile species.
These include:
• Create large log surrogates by placing
smaller diameter logs parallel to each
other, with at least 5 pieces stacked
length-wise together.
Photo by Ken Bevis
• Create habitat piles using rock, slash,
root wads, and logs. Place larger mate-
rial on the lower levels of the piles. • Create biodens from slash piles. See
• Create or provide basking sites on Callout Box: Biodens and Habitat Piles
land and in aquatic areas using both for more information.
Photo by Scott Fitkin, WDFW natural and artificial materials: These • Leave some slash, brush, and leaf litter
should be in areas with low distur- post-harvest. Consider a lop and scatter
bance. Consider planting vegetation method that retains slash, but minimizes
• Create additional snags as well as to screen basking sites from visual fire danger. See the Woodland Fish and
manage for future snags and large disturbances. Basking sites also need Wildlife Group Wildlife Friendly Fuels
trees (especially deciduous species nearby shade or cover for reptiles to Publication for more information.
that provide leaf litter), downed escape periods of prolonged heat.
wood, and large fallen limbs.
• Reduce disturbance to reptiles by
planting native vegetation buffers
around wetlands, ponds, streams, Platform Maintenance-Installation
downed wood, and rocky areas. Keep
in mind that sun exposure to basking
areas for reptiles should not be lim-
ited (ODFW 2015). Reptiles need both
exposure to sun and adjacent vegeta-
tion that provides places to hunt prey
and hide from predators.
• Restore and enhance stream and
wetland buffers.
• When harvesting, use designated skid
trails and access trails to minimize
soil compaction.
• Follow stand-level forestry regula-
tions such as those outlined by
Oregon’s and Washington’s Forest
Practices Rules.
Photo by Ashley Smithers
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Bioden
Biodens and Habitat Piles
Creating biodens and habitat piles is a great way to mimic and enhance
the natural process of debris accumulation on the forest floor. Habitat
piles are typically smaller and made from pruning slash and small logs.
Biodens are larger and typically made with logging slash, rootwads, and
large chunky material. Slash piles that are typically burned can be repur-
posed into habitat piles or biodens.
Large downed wood naturally provides safety, forage opportunities, bask-
ing and nesting habitat for reptiles, but it is not always present or avail-
able during forest management operations. In these cases, purposefully
designed piles using smaller logs and large pieces of logging slash may
function as a surrogate or be used to supplement downed logs. During Biodens are large piles typically made
forest operations such as harvesting (e.g., clearcut harvest or thinning), with logging slash, rootwads, and large
habitat features are easily created by piling some of the remaining slash chunky material.
into piles designed specifically for wildlife habitat. You can use any spe-
cies of tree for biodens or habitat piles. Note that conifer species of large Habitat Pile
diameter will decay slower. This method is a great approach to habitat
enhancement for reptiles because it is both cost effective and ecologi-
cally beneficial (NCLC 2019).
In the case of snakes, who often form groups of individuals called hiber-
nacula, these biodens are a great habitat enhancement tool. Hibernacula
are found in underground chambers that protect the reptiles during
periods in the year when humidity and temperatures are particularly low
(NRCS 2019). Supporting wintering sites for snakes can help control
rodent populations, most notably in areas where rodent management is
a priority. Placement of biodens on the landscape, particularly in areas
where snakes are already present, can help support healthy snake and
other reptile populations. Habitat piles are typically small and made
from pruning slash and small logs.
Basking Structures in ponds
In Oregon and Washington, there are many aquatic • Add habitat structures in areas that will receive ample
areas on the landscape, including fire and recreational southern and western exposure.
ponds in forest lands. When feasible, augmenting • Provide habitat components in areas where distur-
ponds with biological structures may allow for use by bance is low, i.e., away from walkways, paths or roads.
turtles and other semi-aquatic reptiles. Thermoregula-
tion is often limited at these sites by lack of sun expo-• Position basking materials where reptiles can easily
sure on the banks and in the waterbody itself. sense approaching predators.
• Monitor basking sites for use by reptiles.
Basking structures can be incorporated into aquat- o Move habitat elements to a new location if
ic areas by implementing the following: structures are not being used.
• Place habitat components, such as logs, large branch- o Add additional habitat elements if overcrowding
es and boulders in at least 3 feet of water to account occurs.
for drought years.
o Monitor and record which structures are used
o When water levels drop below 3 feet, habitat by reptiles and repeat installation of preferred
components should be moved to a safer loca- structures.
tion to protect from damage from livestock,
vehicles or uncontrolled burns.
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
• Establish connective habitat in areas • Control invasive wildlife, such as bull- wood in areas where there is open
where it is lacking, utilizing coarse frogs and large-mouthed bass, where canopy. Reptiles can benefit from open
woody materials to help facilitate dis- feasible. canopy, however, controlled climates
persal from one area to another. • Use native triploid (sterile) fish if such as those present in more closed-
• Create cover habitat by placing plywood stocking ponds. Fish, especially bass, canopy forests are also necessary dur-
or corrugated sheet metal in sunny compete heavily with reptiles for food ing extreme temperature fluctuations
locations and slightly propping it up and will prey upon juveniles (ODFW for hibernation and aestivation and for
on three sides. 2019). Note that fish stocking requires supporting healthy invertebrate popu-
special permits. lations. A variety of open and closed
• Install brush piles and rock piles in canopy conditions are ideal.
sunny areas. Common Best Management • When harvesting, limit soil compaction
• Create turtle nesting habitat by remov- Practices for Reptiles by using low impact logging techniques
ing some brush on gentle southern There are a variety of commonly used such as cable logging or tractor log-
slopes and leaving loose or undis- Best Management Practices that family ging with designated skid trails to allow
turbed soil for burrowing near aquatic forest owners can include in their forest leaving areas of undisturbed soil for
habitats occupied by native turtles management plan to help support healthy burrowing and hibernating reptiles.
(ODFW 2015). reptile populations. These include: • Maintain buffers and corridors
• Enhance existing habitat by removing • Reduce changes to microclimate condi- between areas of high intensity land-
invasive plant species, planting native tions when possible by placing downed use and plant native vegetation that
species and creating additional habitat is both deciduous and evergreen,
around the area.
Southern Aligator Lizard Western Terrestrial Garter snake
Photo by Keith Kohl
Western Skink
Photo by Scott Fitkin, WDFW Photo by Lauren Grand
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Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Western Fence Lizard California Mountain King Snake unintended causes of mortality such as
roads are all threats to snakes, lizards
and turtles. Habitat protections and
enhancements along with best manage-
ment practices, including the timing of
forest operations, are all tools land-
owners can use to help contribute to
conserving healthy reptile populations
and reptile biodiversity. The techniques
outlined in this document both offset
and minimize unintended negative
impacts to reptiles and support healthy
ecosystems for reptiles and other wild-
Photo by Scott Fitkin, WDFW Photo by Hoda Sondassi, USFWS
life species that depend on forests.
Ring-necked Snake References
those with bark for reptiles to use as Burke Museum: University of Washing-
refuge and to forage. ton. https://www.burkemuseum.org/
collections-and-research/biology/herpe-
• Emphasize retention downed logs and
tology/amphibians-reptiles-washington
rotting wood.
• If you encounter a reptile that looks Gelatt, T. S., and J. D. Kelley. 1995.
sick (visible lesions and fungal growth) Western painted turtles, Chrysemys picta
contact your local extension or state bellii, basking on a nesting common loon,
wildlife office as soon as possible. Do Gavia immer. Canadian Field-Naturalist
not handle the animal. Take photos and 109:456-458.
get a GPS location if you can. NatureServe (2009). NatureServe Ex-
Photo by Simon Wray • Road construction: plorer. Arlington, Virginia. https://www.
o Minimize new road natureserve.org/. Accessed September-
construction. October, 2019.
including trees, shrubs, and forbs ad- o Design and maintain roads North Coast Land Conservancy (2019).
jacent to high intensity land use areas. for reduced erosion. NCLC helps a young forest on Tillamook
• Retain trees, shrubs, and forbs as well o Avoid road construction during Head age gracefully. https://nclctrust.org/
as non-living materials such as downed the breeding season (spring and boneyard_ridge_restoration/. Accessed
wood, rocks, and undisturbed soil post- early summer). December 2019.
harvest. Minimize damage to existing
o Decommission roads and trails Olson, D and B. Van Horne. 2017. People,
habitat components such as downed
that are no longer in use. Forests, and Change. Island Press.
logs whenever possible.
o Install reptile-friendly culverts Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Control invasive plant and animal
species – mowing during inactive (2015). Guidance for Conserving Oregon’s
Summary Native Turtles Including Best Manage-
periods of the year for reptiles can
help control invasive plant species and Reptiles are a key component of bio- ment Practices. https://www.dfw.state.
prevent reptile mortality. Mow fields in diversity and ecosystem health. Many or.us/wildlife/living_with/docs/ODFW_
an inside out circular pattern to allow reptiles are regionally and locally de- Turtle_BMPs_March_2015.pdf.
animals to escape if present. clining thus requiring state and federal
protection. Habitat loss, fragmentation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Minimize the use of chemicals, espe- Oregon Conservation Strategy Species.
conversion, and degradation, changes
cially broad-spectrum pesticides, and http://www.oregonconservationstrategy.
in climate, introduction of non-native
always follow all label directions.
species, improper use of chemicals, and
• Retain and create snags, specifically
10Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
Northwestern Garter Snake
Additional Information
Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI):
www.oregonforests.org
Know Your Forest:
www.knowyourforest.org
Woodland Fish and Wildlife Group:
http://woodlandfishandwildlife.com/
OSU extension:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/
WSU extension:
http://extension.wsu.edu/
Photo by Keith Kohl
WDFW Priority Habitats and Species:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/phs/
Common Garter Snake
Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife: Living with Wildlife:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living
The Oregon Conservation Strategy:
http://www.oregonconservationstrategy.org/
Northwest Partners in Amphibian and
Reptile Conservation (PARC): http://www.nwparc.org/
American Tree Farm System:
https://www.treefarmsystem.org/
org/ocs-strategy-species/reptiles/. Ac- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
cessed on September 20, 2019. Resources Conservation Service (2019). Photo by Fitkin
Structures for Wildlife – Basking Structure.
Pilliod, D. S., E. Wind, D. T. Ashton, C.
Conservation Practice 649 – Specification Racer
A. Bishop, R. B. Bury, C. C. Corkran, J.
Sheet.
Cossel Jr., D. J. Emery, C. L. Jenkins, R.
Martin, R. S. Nauman, D. H. Olson, C. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural
R. Peterson, M. Sarell, B. G. Slough, D. Resources Conservation Service (2019).
F. Tessler (2017). Habitat Management Structures for Wildlife – Snake Hiber-
Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles naculum. Conservation Practice 649 –
of the Northwestern United States and Specification Sheet.
Western Canada.
Photo by Simon Wray
11Woodland Fish & Wildlife • 2020
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