Special Wildlife

Magazine Mountain Shagreen

Rising up out of the Arkansas River Valley and having no connection with other mountains, Mount Magazine is like an isolated island. Some species of wildlife here have been separated from their original populations and have developed unique physical characteristics. Some insects are not known to occur anywhere else on earth. Only In Arkansas by Robison and Allen, University of Arkansas Press, 1995, describes some of these species.

In 1903, a new species of snail was described to science. It was the Magazine Mountain Shagreen (Inflectarius magazinensis), and to this date has not been found outside the Mount Magazine District. Visitors are not likely to find these small snails because their primary habitat is rugged, rocky wooded slopes. The name Shagreen means rough skin like a shark.

Diana Fritillary (male)

Rufous-crowned Sparrows (Aimophila ruficeps) are common in western states. However, here in Arkansas they nest only on the south facing bluffs of Mount Magazine. This is the eastern most reaches of its breeding range. Many birders come to Mount Magazine to add this species to their life lists.

Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana) butterflies are large and beautiful. Males are dark brown and orange. The much larger females are black and blue. They are occasionally found in other areas of Arkansas; however, Mount Magazine is one of the best places to see them flying during summer months. Diana Fritillaries found in Arkansas have been separated from other populations to the east. Studies are underway to determine if its scientific taxonomy should be changed.

Diana Fritillary (female)

All animals are protected in the state park.