What kind of wildlife is on Daufuskie Island?

Daufuskie Island is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including both land and marine species. You can find American alligators, loggerhead sea turtles, and over 60 species of birds, such as wood storks, bald eagles, herons, and egrets. Deer, otters, raccoons, armadillos, and fox squirrels also reside on the island. Right whales (the rarest large whale), various species of sharks, and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins inhabit the surrounding waters.

What should I know about interacting with wildlife?

When interacting with wildlife in the Lowcountry, remember to give animals space, avoid feeding them, and leave the environment as you found it. Keep a safe distance and use natural light for photography.

Pick up and dispose of your trash, and consider collecting any trash you find along the way.

Due to the abundance of wildlife, please keep your pet on a leash for their safety while exploring the island. Beaufort County code states that NO DOGS are allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day and must be on a leash or under strict voice control at all other times.

What about alligators?

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reminds people that it's normal to see alligators moving around and basking in our rivers, ponds, and lakes. Alligators are native to South Carolina and play a critical role in the health and balance of our ecosystems.

SCDNR reminds everyone 

• assume alligators are present

• never feed alligators

• don’t dispose of food or fish scraps in water

• never harass an alligator

• be responsible for people and pets in your care

• maintain awareness anytime you are in or near water.

Learn more at https://www.gatorwise.org/

What should I know about loggerhead sea turtles on Daufuskie Island?

The loggerhead sea turtle is the state reptile of South Carolina and the most common sea turtle nester on the beaches of Daufuskie Island. Almost from the moment they hatch, they face numerous dangers, including land and sea predators, accidental capture and entanglement in fishing gear, loss of nesting and feeding sites, and ocean pollution. 

Loggerhead sea turtle nesting season occurs from May 1 to October 31. Loggerhead sea turtles are a federally and state-listed threatened species, and Daufuskie Island has a Sea Turtle Patrol dedicated to their protection. 

Adult loggerheads have shells 30-42 inches long and can weigh up to 400 pounds. They can live for over 100 years.

From May to October, female loggerheads come ashore at night to lay eggs, typically laying around 120 eggs per nest. After about 50-60 days of incubation, hatchlings emerge and crawl towards the ocean. 

You can help protect nesting and hatchlings: 

• Artificial lights can disorient nesting females and hatchlings, so it's crucial to turn off outdoor lights visible from the beach after 10 PM and close blinds/drapes on windows facing the beach. 

• Remove all personal belongings (chairs, umbrellas, etc.) from the beach each evening and fill in any holes or flatten sand structures to avoid obstacles for turtles.

• Maintain a distance of at least 30 feet from nesting turtles or nests, and avoid flash photography or flashlights. 

• Please do not attempt to feed or touch sea turtles, as it can change their natural behavior and make them more susceptible to harm.

• Help keep beaches clean by removing trash and debris that can harm turtles.

What types of plants grow on Daufuskie Island?

You will find palmetto trees, live oak trees, and Spanish moss, a tropical plant (related to the pineapple!) that has no roots and absorbs all its water and nutrients from the air. It particularly prefers to grow on live oaks but does not harm them at all.

The salt marshes on Daufuskie Island are essential to the island's ecosystem, offering a food source for shorebirds and fostering cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) growth.