South Carolina, located in the southeastern coastal region of the US, features rich wildlife habitats, including lush forests, marshlands, and fertile wetlands. From the Atlantic coastal plain in the east to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest, the state is home to diverse wildlife species that include ocean animals like sharks, sting rays, and sea turtles as well as mountain animals like black bears, coyotes, and deer.
With such geographical variety, South Carolina offers many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and appreciate its unique landscapes and wildlife. The Congaree National Park, Hunting Island State Park, and Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge are only a few places best suited for watching wildlife species like deer, rabbits, alligators, and countless birds. The state’s native wildlife is protected by law, and any cruelty against animals is considered a punishable crime.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in South Carolina
Mammals
White-tailed Deer
Black Bear
Bobcat
Coyote
Raccoon
Spotted Skunk
Striped Skunk
Eastern Woodrat
Beaver
Gray Fox
Red Fox
Nine-banded Armadillo
Southern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Eastern Mole
Woodland Vole
Masked Shrew
Hispid Cotton Rat
Marsh Rice Rat
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Northern Short-tailed Shrew
Southern Bog Lemming
Striped Skunk
Virginia Opossum
American Mink
Muskrat
Big Brown Bat
Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
Eastern Red Bat
Little Brown Bat
Long-tailed Weasel
North American River Otter
Harbor Seal
West Indian Manatee
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Short-finned Pilot Whale
Northern Right Whale
Humpback Whale
North Pacific Right Whale
Several animals, including the American bison, red wolf, and cougar, has been extirpated from the state’s wild habitat.
Birds
Carolina Wren
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Chickadee
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Summer Tanager
American Goldfinch
White-throated Sparrow
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Bald Eagle
Reptiles
American Alligator
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Eastern Painted Turtle
Corn Snake
Eastern Rat Snake
Eastern Kingsnake
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Coral Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake
Brown Watersnake
Red-bellied Watersnake
Ring-necked Snake
Southern Black Racer
Rough Green Snake
Eastern Coachwhip
Eastern Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Eastern Diamondback
Timber Rattlesnake
Eastern Coral Snake
Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake
Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake
Eastern Fence Lizard
Five-lined Skink
Southeastern Five-lined Skink
Eastern Glass Lizard
Amphibians
Southern Leopard Frog
Green Frog
Pickerel Frog
Eastern Cricket Frog
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Frosted Flatwoods Salamander
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Eastern Newt
Spotted Salamander
Marbled Salamander
Northern Dusky Salamander
Northern Slimy Salamander
Fishes
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Striped Bass
White Bass
Channel Catfish
Blue Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Bluegill
Redbreast Sunfish
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Yellow Perch
Chain Pickerel
Longnose Gar
Bowfin
Redear Sunfish
Warmouth
Saugeye
Northern Pike
Red Drum
Black Drum
Southern Flounder
Summer Flounder
Sheepshead
Spanish Mackerel
King Mackerel
Cobia
Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Menhaden
Tarpon
Amberjack
Pompano
Southern Sting Ray
Atlantic Stingray
Atlantic Bluefish
Bull Shark
Blacktip Shark
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Spinner Shark
Insects and Invertebrates
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Polyphemus Moth
European Honey Bee
Carolina Mantis
Asian Citrus Psyllid
Florida Woods Cockroach
Termites
Carpenter Ant
Carolina Wolf Spider
Golden Silk Orbweaver
Brown Recluse
Northern Black Widow
Southern Black Widow
False Black Widow
Molluscs
Lettered Olive
Carolina Heelsplitter
Atlantic Spike
State Animals of South Carolina
State Animal
White-tailed Deer
State Marine Mammal
Bottlenose Dolphin
State Migratory Marine Mammal
Northern Right Whale
State Bird
Carolina Wren
State Wild Game Bird
Wild Turkey
State Duck
Wood Duck
State Amphibian
Spotted Salamander
State Reptile
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
State Fish
Striped Bass
State Insect
Carolina Mantis
State Butterfly
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
State Spider
Carolina Wolf Spider
State Shell
Lettered Olive
State Heritage Work Animal
Mule
State Dog
Boykin Spaniel
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in South Carolina?
Many deadly venomous snakes and spiders that can kill you are native to South Carolina. These include the copperhead, cottonmouth, diamondback, timber rattlesnake, coral snake, pygmy rattlesnakes, black widows (northern and southern), and brown recluse. Then there are the large predators like American alligators and bull sharks in the state’s waters.
Are there any endangered animals in South Carolina?
The American swallow, gopher tortoise, Carolina heelsplitter, North Atlantic right whale, and West Indian manatee are some of the noteworthy animals considered endangered in the state. Some threatened animals include the Peregrine falcon, bald eagle, loggerhead sea turtle, and eastern small-footed myotis (bat).
What are some invasive animals in South Carolina?
Red imported fire ants, longhorn beetles, red lionfish, American bullfrogs, and wild boars are some common invasive animals that pose a risk to the local flora and fauna.
