Bluffton abounds with wildlife all year-round, making it an animal 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 of our town, 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.
White tailed deer roam around Bluffton, 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.
Although rarely seen, we do have a coyotes roaming around our area.
Lowcountry coyotes tend to be fairly small with reddish brown hair and streaks of gray, similar to a small German shepherd. They have short soft underfur, topped with long coarse hairs and weigh in between 35-45 pounds.
Near the Bluffton’s many lagoons, alligators are plentiful.
Alligators at one time were considered rare and endangered. Due to conservation efforts and education of the humans who share the same ecosystem and environment, alligators’ numbers continue to rise. 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.
The adorable American Green Tree Frog love our area, especially when it rains.
You can hear them sing after a storm. Males belt out songs to attract females and establish their territory. They especially enjoy hiding under porch lights on summer nights. These little guys grow to be 1-2 inches long. They dine on insects.
Please respect all of our animal friends and their environment, as they have been here a lot longer than we have. On your next encounter with one of our neighbors, watch, learn and enjoy their beauty.