Herpetofauna of a Sandsage Prairie near Holcomb, Kansas

A baseline biological survey of plants and vertebrates was undertaken in summer of 1980 on a 12, 355 ha tract of sandsage prairie near Holcomb, Finney County, Kansas. Eighteen species of amphibians and reptiles, including seven new county records, were found on the prairie and a nearby uncultivated island. Two additional species were discovered near the site. Nine species constituted the known breeders on the site, five were probable breeders, two were possible breeders, and two were doubtful breeders. Five habitat types--floodplain, dune sands, choppy sands, level sands, and center pivot diamond - -were utilized based on differences in soil and vegetation. A variety of techniques, including drift fences, pitfall traps, funnel traps, artificial cover, seining, walking, and cruising roads, was employed to sample the herpetofauna of each habitat type