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Skunk and raccoon also visited scent - stations. Relative abundance indices <br />for both species exceeded those obtained from nearby USEWS surveyed lines <br />and the state average. However, the scent- station tec.:rigue was desirn eci to <br />inventory canid populations and may not provide data indicative of raccoon <br />and skunk populations in the area. While both the spotted skunk and the <br />striped skunk occur in the region, the former species prefers rocky areas <br />with shrubs while the latter species is more commonly found in habitats <br />similar to those near the Nucla mine (7.,achleitner 1969) . Moreover, a <br />striped skunk (road kill) was observed approximately 11/2 piles southwest <br />of the study area in October, 1979. The striped 'skunk, like the spotted <br />skunk, is omnivorous. Major foods consist of carrion, insects, amphibians, <br />reptiles, birds, small mammals, and fruit (lechleitner 1969) . <br />Raccoons are abundant in moist areas (e.g., swamps, rivers, ponds) and <br />agricultural areas where there are trees to provide denning opportunities. <br />Raccoons are omnivorous, their diet consists of a very large variety of <br />plants and animals (Lechleitner 1969) . The raccoon tracks recorded during <br />this survey were observed near an apple orchard approximately 1 mile south- <br />west of the study area. <br />Other mammalian predators known to occur in the vicinity of the study area <br />but not encountered during the wildlife investigations in 1979-1980 were <br />the bobcat (Fells rufus) and mountain lion (Fells concolor) . These species <br />have been sighted in the pinyon - juniper woodlands east of the study area, <br />(personal communication, March 1980, Rick Sherman, DOW. <br />REPTILES AM AMIDHIMIANS <br />Habitats at the Nucla mine support few reptiles and amphibians. Western <br />garter snakes (Thanophis elegans) were observed on the site and the chorus <br />frog (Pseudacris triseriata)' and treat Basin sp ade; oot (Scaphiopus i nterman-- <br />tanus) were encountered during the spring breeding period in ponds near the <br />study area. one sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) and Eastern fence <br />lizard (S. undulatus) were observed in rock and brush piles on the western <br />wide of the study area. The hull snake (Pituophis ,:elnr o..etzc us) , race: <br />JUN 1 I 1980 <br />