Hilton Head Island abounds with wildlife all year-round, making the island a natural wonderland.
Listen for bird songs from cardinals and mockingbirds by day and the familiar hoot of the barred owl at night and the bobwhite quail whistle at daybreak. Birders enjoy the diversity of avian creatures on Hilton Head Island, particularly in the spring and fall. Some birds can be seen all year-round, including the great blue heron, night heron, white egret and laughing gull. Bring a pair of binoculars to look for native and migratory birds across the island.
White tailed deer roam the island, nibbling on wild leaves and fruit. They can to be shy by day, but at sunset, the local deer population tends to migrate, so beware of deer entering roadways at dusk or late at night.
Near the island’s many lagoons, alligators and bullfrogs are plentiful.
Never feed, taunt or get too close to the local population of alligators. Remember that alligators truly are wild animals, however docile they may seem.
Each year, loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beaches of Hilton Head Island between May and August. Nesting occurs at night, when the female crawls ashore on the beach and digs a nest in the sand with her flippers. Loggerhead turtles typically lay between 100 to 125 eggs. Then, they cover the nest with sand and returning back to the ocean. Approximately 60 days later, the baby sea turtles hatch. These little guys head towards to the sea, ready to begin their journey of life.