Things to Do at Mount Magazine State Park
Special Native Arkansas Animals & Wildlife
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 native Arkansas animals and 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 of native Arkansas animals.
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.
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 Arkansas birding enthusiasts come to Mount Magazine to add this species to their life lists.
Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana) are some of the largest and most beautiful butterflies in Arkansas. 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, when the Mount Magazine weather is warm. Diana Fritillary butterflies in Arkansas have been separated from other populations to the east. Studies are underway to determine if its scientific taxonomy should be changed.
All animals are protected in the state park.