Alligators look like large lizards. Their skin is very rough and covered in heavy blackish‐colored scales. Hatchlings are typically black on top with yellow blotches or stripes. Both males and females look identical. Breeds in spring (May‐June). Female lays 30 to 50 oblong, white eggs in a mound of mud and vegetation. Eggs typically hatch in August or September. Hatchlings grow 6-8 inches per year reaching adult size (7 feet) in 10 to 12 years. Do not approach, feed, or harass alligators. Report aggressive alligators to Town Hall (768-9166) during normal business hours. At all other times, call KICA Security (768-5566).
WHERE TO SEE
All island ponds. Good viewing spots are Canvasback, Ibis, and Willet Ponds
NOTES
Males (9-12 feet), Females (7-9 feet). Carnivorous. Small alligators eat insects, frogs, snakes, small fish and turtles. As an alligator increases in size it switches to larger prey, such as raccoons, wading birds, small mammals, fish, deer, and even other alligators.
The head and upper shell (carapace) are dark and reddish brown; the flippers and lower shell (plastron) are light yellow. Artificial light from homes behind the dunes can attract turtles leading to their demise. Please keep beachfront lights out from May-October. Nesting efforts are monitored on our beaches by a dedicated group of volunteers. The Turtle Program started in 1973 and the Town of Kiawah has provided funding and logistical support since 1990. Learn more about the Turtle Patrol.
WHERE TO SEE
Ocean and Kiawah River, females come ashore to nest on beach at night from May-August each year.
NOTES
3-4 feet, 250-300 pounds. In coastal waters, feeds mainly on whelks, crabs, fishes, sponges, and jellyfish. Breeding occurs in early spring in coastal waters. Adult females come ashore to lay clutches averaging 120 eggs. Eggs hatch 60 days later and the hatchlings remain in the nests for several days before they emerge as a group, typically at night, and head to the ocean.
High, domed shell. Greenish-brown shell with yellow markings.
WHERE TO SEE
Upland sites throughout the island.
NOTES
Up to 8 inches. Omnivorous. Lives on dry land, often seeks cover under logs and debris. They can completely close up their shell when frightened or disturbed. Can live 60-80 years.
Small, oval-shaped, dark brown to black. Large head streaked with light coloration.
WHERE TO SEE
Freshwater ponds and swamps.
NOTES
3-5 inches. Omnivorous. Eats insects, crustaceans, amphibians, and aquatic vegetation. Overwinters on land in a burrow in soft mud.
Vertical yellow bands on top, yellow belly, distinctive yellow spot behind eye.
WHERE TO SEE
Freshwater and brackish ponds.
NOTES
5-12 inches. Omnivorous. Commonly seen basking on logs and banks. Eats aquatic insects, fish, snails, as well as aquatic vegetation.
Light brown or gray on top and yellow to olive on bottom. Striking diamond-shaped pattern on top shell. Whitish-gray skin with black spots and wavy markings. 5-8 inches, 0.5-1.5 pounds. Feeds primarily on snails, worms, fish, and crabs. In the marshes of Kiawah, terrapins eat mostly periwinkle snails and fiddler crabs. Female terrapins reach maturity at 6 years of age (compared to 3 years for males). Terrapins breed in early spring and females will leave the water in late spring or summer to lay their eggs, often on the sandy banks of hammock islands. Females typically lay 4-18 eggs and the hatchlings emerge after about 3 months.
In the early 1900’s, terrapins were considered a culinary delicacy and terrapin soup was a common menu item in restaurants. For this reason, terrapin populations suffered a significant decline due to overharvesting. As the taste for terrapin soup diminished, terrapin populations rebounded but they still face significant threats.
WHERE TO SEE
Saltwater rivers and creeks.
NOTES
One of the biggest threats is the accidental death of terrapins in crab traps. The Town of Kiawah Island encourages the use of Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRD) on all crab traps. BRDs can be obtained from the Night Heron Park Nature Center (768-6001). These devices help keep terrapins out of crab traps and will also help you catch more crabs. Note: Crab traps are not allowed in any of the ponds on Kiawah Island.
Light brown, reddish or black with darker crossbands on body. Oval head.
WHERE TO SEE
Fairly common around ponds and wetlands.
NOTES
Non-venomous. 2-4 feet long. Similar in appearance to cottonmouth, but can be distinguished by oval head and round pupils. Cottonmouth has triangular head and vertical pupils. Fairly aggressive, but harmless. Eats primarily fish and frogs.
Black with white rings around body.
WHERE TO SEE
Uncommon on all parts of the island.
NOTES
Non-venomous. Constrictor. Up to 5 feet long. Eats rodents, birds, and lizards. Best known for their tendency to eat other snakes, including venomous species such as rattlesnakes.
Small, slender body. Brownish-gray to black with 3 yellow stripes down length of body.
WHERE TO SEE
Common on all parts of the island.
NOTES
Non-venomous. 1-3 feet long. Commonly seen around homes and yards. Eats mainly amphibians. Can tolerate much colder temperatures than other snakes.
Small and slender. Bright greenish-yellow.
WHERE TO SEE
Fairly common on all parts of the island.
NOTES
Non-venomous. Up to 3 feet long. Spend most of their lives in trees and bushes, typically near or over water. Eats insects and spiders which they capture and swallow whole.
Brownish-yellow with red or orange blotches on back.WHERE TO SEE
Common throughout the island.
NOTES
Non-venomous. 3-4 feet. Excellent climber. Eats rats, mice, birds, and lizards. Gets its name from the maize (Indian corn) pattern on its underbelly. Often confused with the venomous copperhead.
Long and slender. Black in color, often with a white chin.
WHERE TO SEE
Common on all parts of the island.
NOTES
Non-venomous. Up to 5 feet long. Only active during the day. Very fast, often travels with head raised. Eats insects, lizards, snakes, birds, and rodents.
Yellowish-brown with 4 black bands running lengthwise on body.
WHERE TO SEE
Common on all parts of the island.
NOTES
3-6 feet. Non-venomous. Constrictor. Very good climbers, often seen in trees. Eats rats, mice, squirrels, birds, and bird eggs.
Heavy, thick body. Large triangular head. Vertical pupils. Brown or black often with dark bands around body. Inside of mouth is white.
WHERE TO SEE
Rare near wetlands.
NOTES
Venomous. 2-4 feet long. Typically very sluggish and non-aggressive. Eats mostly fish, but also eats frogs, snakes, and turtles.
Large, triangular head. Copper or pinkish with reddish-brown, hourglass-shaped crossbands.
WHERE TO SEE
Uncommon on all parts of the island.
NOTES
Our most common venomous snake, though still very rarely seen. 2-4 feet long. Eats rats, mice, birds, lizards, amphibians, and other snakes.
Grayish-brown with lighter colored stripe running down back. Blackish chevron bands. Distinctive rattles on end of tail.
WHERE TO SEE
Very rare in forests and swamps.
NOTES
Venomous. 3-5 feet long. Eats rabbits, rats, mice, and squirrels. Typically docile, only bites when aggravated. Only 2 records from Kiawah in last 10 years.
Light-brown to black with 6 yellow or white stripes running the length of body.
WHERE TO SEE
All parts of island, dunes, forests, and open areas.
NOTES
6-9 inches. Very fast. Eats insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Often seen darting across the ground in an attempt to capture prey.
Brown or grayish-black with 5 light-colored stripes. Young have bright blue tail.
WHERE TO SEE
Common in forests and yards.
NOTES
5-8 inches. Adults similar to broadhead skink but smaller. Eats insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Not as visible as other skinks, often hides under logs or leaf litter.
Brown or grayish- black, often with 5 light-colored stripes. Adult males have large, orange head. Young have a bright blue tail.
WHERE TO SEE
Very common throughout island in forests and yards.
NOTES
6-13 inches. Spends time in trees as well as on the ground. Eats insects, spiders, and other invertebrates.
Long and slender, light brown or yellowish-green, vertical white bars behind head.
WHERE TO SEE
Dunes and forest.
NOTES
18-43 inches. Looks like a snake but is actually a legless lizard. Eats insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Will often drop off all or part of their tails when seized by a predator. The tail will grow back.
5-8 inch lizard, may be green or brown in color. Males have pink throat fan.
WHERE TO SEE
Common on all parts of the island.
NOTES
Active during the day, often seen basking on vegetation, fences, or buildings. Eats insects and other invertebrates. Changes color based on surroundings.
