Hilton Head and the lagoons of the lowcountry are brimming with alligators. Many get to be 10-12 feet long. Crocodiles don’t normally venture this far north.
Contents
Does Hilton Head have alligators?
Alligators, native to Hilton Head and the Lowcountry, can grow to 12 feet or longer. They are often found sunning on the sides of ponds or lagoons.Approaching or feeding an alligator is one of the worst things you can do — for you and the animal — according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
Are alligators a problem on Hilton Head Island?
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. —
As far as we know, no one was hurt. According to Joe Maffo from Critter Management on Hilton Head, it’s common to see alligators during this time of year because of alligator mating season.
Where are alligators in Hilton Head?
Jarvis Creek Park, Hilton Head Island – At the center of Jarvis Creek Park is a very large body of water and on warm, sunny days you can always find an alligator or three basking in the sun along the banks or floating in the water.
How many alligators are there in Hilton Head?
There have been no formal surveys of the alligator population on Hilton Head, but there are probably from 2,000 to 4,000 gators living on the island, says Walt Rhodes, the alligator project supervisor for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Where do alligators live in SC?
Alligators are restricted to the Coastal Plain, which includes the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia and South Carolina. In South Carolina, alligators have been recorded to reach lengths of more than 13 feet. Alligators live in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.
Are there snakes on Hilton Head Island?
While there are many different species of snakes inhabiting Hilton Head Island, a few stand out. Species that draw the most attention and concern are venomous—copperheads, water moccasins (cottonmouths) and Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.
What do alligators in Hilton Head eat?
Alligators eat just about anything, including lizards, fish, snakes, turtles, small mammals, birds, crustaceans, and even small alligators. They hunt for prey underwater and often swallow their meal whole.
Where are the most alligators in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, American alligators make extensive use of the state’s coastal marshlands, with the ACE Basin being one of the most important nesting areas.
Which state has the most alligator attacks?
Florida
Florida, which has the most human-alligator interactions, has recorded 24 deadly alligator attacks since 1948 – but 14 of those have occurred in the last 20 years, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data.
Is it safe to kayak with alligators?
If this starts to happen, then the answer is yes, alligators can be dangerous to kayakers. This is why it is so important not to ever feed an alligator!
What sharks are in Hilton Head?
Long known as a primary breeding ground for many species, the local waters near Hilton Head Island host many types of sharks, including hammerheads, tigers, blacktip, spinners, sharp nose and bonnet-heads, just to name a few.
Where are the alligators in Sea Pines?
I highly recommend the Coastal Discovery Museum’s “Getting to know a Gator” program, but for FREE, head on over to the lagoons on Pope Ave. Between St. Andrew by the Sea and Holy Family is a bike path bridge over the lagoon. In the summer this is the place to stop and spot a gator.
Does South Carolina have alligators or crocodiles?
The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the only crocodilian native to South Carolina.Populations of alligators in South Carolina have done so well, that the DNR instituted a hunting season in 2008.
Were there slaves on Hilton Head Island?
The island was home to nearly two dozen plantations, where around 1,000 enslaved people toiled in oppressive conditions. When the Civil War erupted in 1861, the Union Army occupied Hilton Head, using the island as its headquarters for the blockade of the South Atlantic coast.
What states have alligators?
American alligators are found in the southeast United States: all of Florida and Louisiana; the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi; coastal South and North Carolina; East Texas, the southeast corner of Oklahoma, and the southern tip of Arkansas. Louisiana has the largest alligator population.
Do all lakes in SC have alligators?
Columbia, SC (WLTX) – Alligators can be found around South Carolina, even right here in parts of the Midlands.Alligators may even been seen in some parts of Lake Murray. “There’s probably occasions where some alligators get into Lake Murray but for the most part, you don’t typically find them there.
Can I shoot an alligator on my property in South Carolina?
Only one (1) alligator can be taken per permit.Others may assist permittee, but all participants (including permittee) must be licensed SC hunters. Alligators may be taken in public waters, but not on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) or USFWS Refuges, and on private land where permission is granted.
What part of South Carolina has no alligators?
For the most part, the Upstate is spared from South Carolina reptile nuisances. The line is drawn south of the Lakelands, between the border of Aiken and Edgefield counties, and continues south of Saluda, Newberry, Fairfield and Lancaster counties. Still, alligators pop up in the Upstate every once in a while.
Do Copperheads swim in saltwater?
They also have a similar diet, though the water snakes tend to eat more minnows, crayfish, salamanders, etc. In our region they swim both in fresh and brackish water. Both copperheads and water snakes can swim well.
What to do if you are bitten by a copperhead snake?
These dangerous snakes include the copperhead, rattlesnake, cottonmouth (water moccasin) and coral snake. If you are bitten by a venomous snake, call 911 immediately. It is important to get antivenom drugs into your system as quickly as possible.
