Reptiles, amphibians to appear on stamps

Reptiles and amphibians are scary to some, fascinating and fanciful to others. And, by most of us, they’re underestimated as to their vital importance to our environment.

Realizing their significance to humans and the environment, the U.S. Postal Service will release a pane of 20 self-adhesive 37-cent stamps featuring two amphibians and three reptiles. The Postal Service has designated these designs as the official stamps to celebrate National Stamp Collecting Month in October.

The pane consists of five digital illustrations by Steve Buchanan displaying the creatures native to various parts of the United States, including the blue-spotted salamander, the ornate chorus frog, the reticulate collared lizard, the ornate box turtle and the scarlet king snake.

First-day ceremonies and sale of these stamps will take place Oct. 7 at the San Diego Zoo. The five stamps will be available at post offices across the country starting Oct. 8.