Wildlife

Mammals

Photo: Mark Musselman
Photo: Mark Musselman

Native Mammals

  • Bats (nine species, including the declining Big-eared Bat, can be seen on night walks)
  • Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
  • White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
  • Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
  • Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
  • North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
  • Long-Tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata)
  • Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
  • Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)
  • Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)
  • North American beaver (Castor canadensis)
  • Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
  • Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)
  • Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
  • White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
  • Cotton Mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus)
  • Eastern Wood Rat (Neotoma floridana)
  • And more . . . .

Other Mammals

These animals are not technically native but may be present.

  • Coyote (Canis latrans) - Coyote haven't been seen in the swamp itself but have been known to roam in the nearby forests, they are by no means frequent and appear to be more common in the upstate.
  • Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) - Armadillos have become well established at Beidler Forest, and thrive in the bottomland hardwoods up to the edge of the swamp. They are most active at dusk.
  • Feral Hog (Sus scrofa domesticus) - Unfortunately, feral hogs are a constant threat to Beidler Forest and the state of South Carolina. If left unchecked, their destructiveness would strip the forest floor of everything you'd want a forest to have.

Locally Extinct Mammals

Beidler Forest used to be home to these mammals, who maybe in time will one day find their way back, but as of now there's been no evidence that they are currently here.

  • American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
  • Cougar (Puma concolor)
  • Red Wolf (Canis lupus rufus)

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