Under a Low Country Moon - South Carolina

Under a Low Country Moon is comprised of a group of South Carolina naturalists that meet on Memorial Day weekend annually since 2001 to document species in the Francis Marion National Forest Hell Hole wilderness area. While our focus is on herpetology, we are not limited to reptiles and amphibians. We include birders and entomology experts as well as nature photographers. We note changes in the plant communities which are vulnerable to meteorological events such as hurricanes and drought. We also note that fire enhances these communities. The area includes Carolina bays, upland long-leaf pine savanna, hardwood forests, cypress swamps and associated waterways. There are unique plant communities, including the carnivorous pitcher plants. Reptile and amphibian populations are extremely diverse, as are mammals. The area is teeming with white-tailed deer and supports associated predators. Our participants have sighted bobcats and coyotes as well as black bear. Unfortunately, we also see feral hogs and one participant noted a Patagonian cavy. Birding is often exceptional. In addition to woodland songbirds, the area usually supports wading birds and our event's signature birds, the swallow-tailed and Mississippi kites. It is important to note that NO ANIMALS OR PLANTS ARE COLLECTED during these events. Our participants understand that the wanton collecting of reptiles for the pet trade has damaged populations in the lowland and coastal South, and we do report suspected collectors to authorities. While our focus is on the Francis Marion National Forest herpetofauna, we are actually based in Laurens County, South Carolina, which is in the Piedmont, which may well represent the fertile crescent of exceptional modern-day "snake hunters."

Lat: 33.18 Long: -79.77

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