Wildlife is prolific along the Talimena Scenic Drive in the Ouachita National Forest. You can see soaring birds, scampering critters and reptiles, insects busy at work and large mammals walking with their young. At any point along the byway you can have an encounter with wildlife. Whether by land, water or air there is bound to be a creature that will leave you in awe with its extraordinary beauty and ability.

Along the north slopes of Rich and Winding Stair Mountains are many rocky areas with deep pockets of leaf-mold and many fallen logs in an advanced state of decay. These form ideal habitat for two amphibians unique to the area: the Rich Mountain Salamander and the Ouachita Mountain Redback Salamander.

During the past few decades there has been a remarkable eastward invasion by some western animals. Armadillos, coyotes, and roadrunners are now common. You may also run across bear, deer, elk, beaver, bobcat, fox, skunk, opossum, otter, raccoon, crow, dove, pheasant, early migratory birds, quail, turkey, September teal, goose, various other waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, various woodland creatures and countless insects.

To learn more about the Wildlife along the Talimena Scenic Byway and in the Ouachita National Forest the following are good resources:

• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
• Arkansas Birding and Watchable Wildlife
• Birding Along the Talimena Scenic Byway
• State Parks of Arkansas
• State Parks of Oklahoma
• Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission