With all the different climates and ecosystems, North and South Carolina have an abundance of critters and creatures. There are hundreds of animals you can encounter. Below are creatures I have personally come across and photographed while hiking in the Carolinas.
Mammals
Two of my favorite animals to photograph are raccoons and deer. Deer fawns are adorable with spots to help camouflage them in their surroundings. Raccoons are much harder to come by during the day since they are primarily nocturnal. Once, I had a very curious raccoon slowly walk several yards toward me to stare and then drink from a puddle.
- Common Raccoons
- Eastern Cottontail Rabbits
- Eastern Gray Squirrels/Grey Squirrels
- Muskrats
- Short-Tailed Shrews
- White-Tailed Deer
Reptiles
Alligators
American alligators can grow to be more than 12 feet long and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. People should take care near swamps, lakes, and rivers.
- American Alligators
Turtles
Turtles can be seen in ponds, creeks, basking on logs, or, in the case of box turtles, wandering the grounds. Snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in the Carolinas. It’s always fun to spot the number of turtles lined up – sometimes dozens on the same log.
- Common Musk Turtles
- Eastern Box Turtles
- Painted Turtles
- Red-Eared Sliders
- Snapping Turtles
- Spiny Softshell Turtles
- Spotted Turtles
- Yellow-Bellied Sliders
Snakes
Snakes are often seen on paths or sidewalks resting in sun patches. Unless you are sure which type it is, you should avoid walking within striking distance. Copperheads are the most common venomous snakes in the majority of the Carolinas.
- Black Racer Snakes
- Brown Snakes
- Brown Watersnakes
- Copperhead Snakes
- Cottonmouths/Water Moccasins
- Eastern Kingsnakes
- Northern Ringneck Snakes
- Northern Watersnakes
Lizards
Lizards are a regular sight in the woods, on sidewalks, and even around homes. Male green anole lizards have pink throat fans that make for a beautiful display. Skinks are the most common lizards I have seen.
- American Five-Lined Skinks
- Broad-Headed Skinks
- Eastern Fence Lizards
- Green Anole Lizards/Carolina Anole Lizards
- Ground Skinks
- Six-Lined Racerunners
Amphibians
Unless they are making noise, frogs and toads are sometimes hard to notice. A few are so small, like Fowler’s toads, that you could accidentally step on them! American bullfrogs are the largest frogs in North America.
- American Bullfrogs
- American Green Tree Frogs
- American Toads
- Fowler’s Toads
- Marbled Salamanders
- Southern Cricket Frogs
- Southern Leopard Frogs
For more information on particular a species, Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina and Reptiles and Amphibians of SC are good resources.
Mollusks
- Land Snails
Crustaceans
- Crayfish/Crawfish/Crawdads
Fish
- Bowfin
- Longnose Gar
- Minnows
Other common creatures you may encounter while hiking in the Carolinas include:
- American Beavers
- American Black Bears
- Appalachian Cottontails
- Bobcats
- Cougars
- Coyotes
- Eastern Chipmunks
- Gray Foxes
- Nine-Banded Armadillos
- Red Foxes
- Southern Devil Scorpions
- Southern Flying Squirrels
Are you a birder looking for species you can observe in the Carolinas? Check out my Birds of the Carolinas.
I still find new creatures all the time while I am exploring the Carolinas. Focus on your surroundings as you hike, and you may be able to hear the slightest noise that helps you discover something new.
What is your favorite animal to spot while out hiking? Comment below!
We need to be more observant on the trails! You have seen so many creatures along the way. We love the new Popular Topics tab as well. Thanks for adding.
So glad you like Popular Topics! It’s amazing how often people miss things – several times I have seen other hikers walk right by a deer near the path.
Now I know what to watch for while on the trails. This is very helpful!
Thanks Joni! Glad you found this helpful! I love spying a new animal or bird along the trail.