Att 3 Wildlife Species Handout SJRD.pdf

version 06252019

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Rare Animals of the San Bernardino National Forest The San Bernardino National Forest is home to a number of rare plants and animals. Our biologists are trying to learn more about these unique species and we would like to enlist your help as our eyes and ears. If you should ever encounter any of the species described below, please record sightings, including information about what you saw, when you saw it, and where you saw it. Photographs would be greatly appreciated. All of these animals are protected species—so please do not handle them, collect them, or harm them in any way. All or some of these animals may be found in your area.

San Bernardino Mountain kingsnake:

This colorful snake has declined in numbers due to over-collecting by people who want to keep them as pets. These snakes are between 20 – 40 inches long. This snake is not venomous but may bite if it is bothered. Do not harm this snake in any way. FOREST

SERVICE PROTECTED.

San Bernardino ringneck snake: This two-toned snake flashes its orange belly when intimidated or scared, to scare off predators. These snakes are between 10 – 16 inches long. This snake is not venomous and is unlikely to bite (but could). Do not harm this snake in any way. FOREST SERVICE

PROTECTED.

San Diego coast horned lizard: Like the San Bernardino Mountain kingsnake, coast horned lizards have been over-collected. These little “dinosaurs” generally freeze when scared because their camouflaged patterns make them blend into the background. These lizards are about 2 – 4 inches long. FOREST SERVICE

Southern Rubber Boa : This small docile snake looks like an overgrown earthworm. It is active at dawn and dusk, especially during rainy periods. The southern rubber boa is extremely rate and lives in downed logs and rocky outcrops. FOREST SERVICE PROTECTED.

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Rosy Boa: Like its cousin the rubber boa, the rosy boa can constrict and climb branches. This docile snake is usually found in drier habitats at lower elevations. FOREST SERVICE PROTECTED.

Large-blotched salamander:

This is one of the few salamander species that occurs in the San Bernardino National Forest. They are nocturnal and most active during wet periods. Typically found under logs or in moist areas.

These salamanders are about 2 –3 inches long. This animal cannot bite and should not be harmed in anyway. FOREST SERVICE

Mountain yellow-legged frog: This frog was once our most common frog; now it is very rare. Part of its decline is probably due to an increase in non-native predators, habitat loss, water pollutants, and disease.

Contact one of the biologists below immediately if this animal is seen. FEDERALLY ENDANGERED. FOREST

Arroyo toad : This rare toad looks a lot like its more common cousin, the western toad. These amphibians are able to survive dry spells by burrowing into the ground and aestivating for months at a time. Aestivating is similar to hibernating but it’s done during hot dry periods instead of during the winter. Contact one of the biologists below immediately if this animal is seen.

FEDERALLY ENDANGERED. FOREST SERVICE

Bighorn Sheep: Bighorn sheep across the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. Typically, they move in herds and prefer steep, rocky areas where they can escape from predators. Bighorn sheep are threatened by predation by feral dogs, habitat loss, human disturbances, etc. Please enjoy these animals from a distance.

FEDERALLY ENDANGERED. FOREST SERVICE

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San Bernardino flying squirrel : This mammal is a subspecies of the northern flying squirrel and it is only known to occur in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. They don’t actually fly—instead, they glide on thick pieces of skin spread between their legs. These animals like to den in cavities at the top of dead trees. Flying squirrels are much smaller than the common gray squirrel; they’re closer in size to our local chipmunks. FOREST SERVICE PROTECTED.

Ringtail : This nocturnal carnivore is known to live in hollow trees, logs, and cavities on our forest. They stick close to streams and riparian areas but may be found on open ground near bushes and rocky out-crops. Ringtails may be confused with raccoons because of their striped tail, however they are much smaller averaging between 24—32 inches long with the tail being more than half the length of their body. FOREST SERVICE PROTECTED

American badger: Active mainly at night during all seasons, the badger has a triangular face with distinctive black and white pattern, and brown or blackish "badges" marking the cheeks. It also has a white stripe extending from the nose to the base of the head. Badgers can be aggressive in defending their territory. They use their distinctively long front claws to excavate lengthy tunnel systems and to dig prey out of holes in the ground. FOREST SERVICE

Western Spotted Skunk : The spotted skunk is much smaller than its more common relative the striped skunk. With an average size ranging between 14– 22 inches, this small omnivore forages mainly at night in brushy, rocky, and riparian areas. They den in cavities, burrows, brush piles and under buildings. Like other skunks, these animals will spray an obnoxious scent when threatened. FOREST SERVICE

Porcupine: Historically, the porcupine occurred on the San Bernardino National Forest. This plant-eater nibbles on tree bark and young branches. They burrow in, rock crevices, and hollow trees. The move slowly and have poor eyesight. FOREST

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Animal Signs and Avoidance Areas Listed on this page are several examples of important habitat features that many of our rare animals use. It is critical to their survival that we try our best to reduce the damage caused to these areas. If possible, try to limit the disturbance of your project in and around these important features.

Bird Nests : Birds don’t just nest in trees.

Some species nest on the ground in shallow scraps in the dirt; others nest in or under bushes. It is important to look for active nests in bushes and shrubs or other vegetation before disturbing the plants. Nests with eggs or chicks must be avoided.

If there are adult birds in the immediate area that seem to be upset by your presence, that is another clue that an active nest is present. Old inactive nests will look like they are falling apart and may have spider webs across them. It is okay to disturb or destroy inactive nests.

When moving through grassy areas, it is important to watch where you step so that nests are not disturbed or crushed.

Woodrat Nests : Woodrats are an important rodent in the forest ecosystem. They are the main prey item for the California Spotted owl and their nests offer shelter for reptiles including the San Bernardino mountain kingsnake. The nests are typically built around the base of a shrub or downed tree. They are constructed of sticks and other woody material.

Snag Trees: Dead trees are also called snags.

Not all snags are a hazard. Snags serve as food cache sites for many animals. The food reserves help some animals make it through the colder months. Cavities in the tree offer shelter for birds, squirrels, raccoons, and bats. Sloughing bark offers a day roost site for bats. Snags are also habitat in the life cycle of many insects.

Burrows : Bears, rabbits, desert tortoise, badger, and many other animals construct burrows for shelter. It is important to avoid walking over a burrow site to avoid collapsing the tunnel.

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Rattlesnakes: Other than rattlesnakes, there are no other venomous snakes in this forest. There are several species of rattlesnakes found on the San Bernardino National Forest. The most common rattlesnake you will find on the San Bernardino National Forest is the southern Pacific rattlesnake (left). The inset photograph is a juvenile southern Pacific rattlesnake.

The southwestern speckled rattlesnake is also found on the SBNF (right). It can be recognized by a vague pattern across its body consisting of dark speckled banded markings.

The red diamond rattlesnake is a beautiful pink, reddish-tan, reddish-brown, or brick red rattlesnake (below). Black and white rings surround a thick rattle. The red diamond rattlesnake is FOREST SERVICE PROTECTED.

Although rattlesnakes have several distinctive features, many people are not sure how to identify one.

Rattlesnakes usually have a powerful body, thin neck, and a well-defined triangular or arrow-shaped head. Using the snake's color or pattern is NOT a reliable method of identification. Looking for the characteristic rattle on the tail is a good method, but sometimes these rattles are lost.

In comparison, a non-venomous snake tends to look more like a snake a child rolls out of clay:

generally, the head, neck and body have more-or-less the same diameter. They do not share the distinct skinny neck of the rattlesnake. (Please note: This is true only of snakes native to California and does not apply to exotic snakes or snakes imported into California from elsewhere.)

Procedures:

• Not all protected animals found within the San Bernardino National Forest are shown on this flyer. Therefore, please do not harm, handle, or collect any of our forest animals.

• If you observe any of the protected species identified above, please contact your local biologist listed below.

Contact Information:

Kim Boss – (909) 382-2936 / 54270 Pinecrest Avenue; Idyllwild, CA 92549 / kim.boss@usda.gov mailto:kim.boss@usda.gov

Procedures: