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You don't have to travel far out your front door
to experience South Carolina's amazing wildlife.
These common yet unique creatures
live harmoniously between our world and theirs.
Though some of our animal neighbors can be bothersome
or downright destructive,
they surprisingly play an important ecological role,
whether we see it or not.
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It's time to show a little appreciation
for a few of these essential critters and discover
what's wild in your backyard.
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The Eastern Grey Squirrel is a typical site
in the state of South Carolina.
The grey squirrel is in fact a rodent,
sharing the same classification as mice and rats.
Despite the negative associations,
the grey squirrel is a powerhouse
when it comes to forest regeneration.
That's because they are major predators of seeds
and nuts in the woodland ecosystem.
Not only do they disperse seeds by foraging,
but they also have a peculiar habit of saving some for later.
In this behavior, known as "caching,"
it's estimated in one season they can bury up to 10,000 nuts,
only recovering a quarter of what they stored for winter.
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Often overlapping the same habitat distribution,
the Southern Fox Squirrel is twice the size of its cousin,
the grey squirrel,
and is the largest tree squirrel in North America.
Fox squirrels typically inhabit mature pinewood forests
around the coastal plain of South Carolina.
They are considered to be the most variably colored
tree squirrels in the world
with colors ranging from grey to black to brown.
Like all squirrels, their front teeth, or incisors
never stop growing,
so they constantly gnaw on objects and grind their teeth
to wear them down.
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Fox squirrels often engage in a behavior
known as "scent-marking," where they rub their cheeks
on the surfaces of their environment and food.
They secrete pheromones from the apocrine glands
around their mouth to mark their territory,
help them find mates,
and orient themselves to their habitat.
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Fox squirrels also serve as a warning system for the forest.
They are quite vocal
and communicate with other squirrels
to warn them of potential predators.
This is often accompanied with tail whipping,
a sign that lets the predator know it's been spotted
and has lost the element of surprise.
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Widespread loss of preferred habitat
has made the fox squirrel a rare sight
in many parts of the state.
On one of South Carolina's remote barrier islands,
fox squirrels have been able to thrive
due to their isolated location.
For hundreds of years, Daufuskie Island
has been the permanent home for these furry tree dwellers.
One of the best ways to experience them in the wild
is with Daufuskie Island's guided eco-tours.
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Since 2011, the Tour Daufuskie Organization
has been providing adventures for families and visitors.
On this all-encompassing educational tour,
guests can explore the unique, natural side of the island
and learn about its rich ecosystem.
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Hopefully with deeper understanding,
people will appreciate the function
these vital animals provide in the wild and so close to home.
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