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.....Barrier
islands such as Folly Beach are rich in biodiversity. Many different
species of animals make their home in this fragile ecosystem. Although
many of the animals that live around the island reside in the marine
environment, quite a few can be observed at low tide. On the southern
tip of the island, erosion has exposed buried marsh mud, leaving many
small tidal pools that catch marine life on the outgoing tide. This
is a great place to visit and find animals with your class.
.....When
visiting the beach, it is a good idea to bring a a device for catching
specimens for observation. Both cast nets and seine nets are good choices.
If you plan on using a seine net, check with the South Carolina Dept.
of Natural Resources for regulations governing their use. A bucket or
plastic washtub is very handy to hold your specimens while observing
them. Remember to get the organisms back into the environment from which
they were collected as soon as possible to avoid undue stress.
.....Below is a list of some of the
common types of animals found on and around South Carolina's barrier
islands. Although you won't find all of them during a trip to Folly,
being familiar with them is always helpful. The species in these list
do not represent all of the species you are apt to find on a walk or
fieldtrip. It is always good to have a reliable guidebook with you,
for some suggestions, check out our reference page.
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