Red Hills


RED BEDS ALONG GYPSUM HILL ROAD, BARBER COUNTY . The state's only native evergreen, Eastern Red Cedar trees (Juniperus virginiana) flourish in the Gypsum or Red Hills. John Charlton, Kansas Geological Survey.
EASTERN COTTONWOOD (Populus deltoides). This hardy and fast-growing Kansas native, found in stands near stream beds, is the official state tree. Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
ORNATE BOX TURTLE (Terrapene ornata ornata). The state reptile is a dryland turtle, spending its 30-50 year lifespan in grasslands. Chelsi Hornbaker, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
BOBCAT (Lynx rufus). Bobcats, about twice as large as domestic cats, thrive across Kansas. Dave Mensch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
HONEYBEE (Apis mellifera). In 1976 school children successfully petitioned to make the honeybee the official Kansas insect. Theodore Voekler, Creative Commons.
COYOTE IN LITTLE BLUESTEM IN THE RED HILLS OF KANSAS. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are crepuscular, meaning most active at dusk and dawn. Greg Kramos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys ludovicianus). These burrowing ground squirrels are native to western Kansas. Steve, Creative Commons.