How were amphibians (frogs, toads, etc.) and reptiles (snakes and lizards) affected?
Many amphibians were inactive at the time of the eruption burrowed in lake or stream bottoms or beneath logs and rocks. Survival was generally greater among the aquatic than terrestrial forms due to the tremendous sheltering capacity of water and moist sediments. Recolonization of newly formed habitats was particularly rapid for highly mobile amphibians (frogs and toads) that can travel considerable distances during cool, wet weather. Ecologist Charlie Crisafulli of the US Forest Service, PNW Research Station estimates that there are 5,000 western toads living in the Mount St. Helens area. This is particularly impressive given that populations of western toads are declining in other locations in western North America. Crisafulli attributes their relative success to a temporary lapse in populations of their natural predators following the eruption and an abundance of algae, a key food source in open blast pools and lakes. Following the eruption reptile survival was limited to adjacent u
