09/08/10 bdb local, NPR

HAYS, Kan. -- The Sternberg Museum of Natural History at Fort Hays State University is celebrating the publication of "Amphibians, Reptiles and Turtles, in Kansas" with a reception and book signing with the authors from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, at the museum.

The reception is hosted by Dr. Reese Barrick, director of the museum, and FHSU President Edward H. Hammond. The Excavations Gift Shop will sell the new book at a 10-percent discount, and the authors will be available for autographs. A live snake display will allow participants to touch and hold a variety of snakes native to Kansas.

According to the publisher, Eagle Mountain Publishing, Eagle Mountain, Utah, "Amphibians, Reptiles, and Turtles in Kansas" displays the herpetofauna of Kansas in vivid color. Photographs by Suzanne L. Collins bring the reptiles of Kansas to life. FHSU's Travis Taggart, associate curator of Sternberg, co-authored the book with Suzanne Collins and Joseph Collins. The book has artwork by Errol D. Hooper Jr.

The bibliography of the book contains more than 1,700 entries, making it the most complete book ever assembled for a state field guide. The book contains illustrated identification keys for both classroom and laboratory use and information on size, distribution, natural history and pertinent literature references for each of the almost 100 animals found in Kansas.

For more information about the book, visit the publisher's website at http://www.eaglemountainpublishing.com. For information about the reception and book signing, contact Brian Bartels, Sternberg Education Director, at 785-628-5502.