Reptiles and Amphibians

a brown rattlesnake with dark spots coiled up in the grass in a defensive position — 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.

a brown toad sitting in the grass next to a dandelion — 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.

a shallow pond in the middle of a green prairie with hills covered with trees in the distance — 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.

a large dark turtle with a long tail and stout limbs in a shallow clear stream — 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.

a small olive green snake with a yellow belly — 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