South Carolina State Mammal
White-tailed Deer (common name) Odocoileus virginianus (scientific name) Overview The white-tailed deer is native to the United States and a common sight in all but a few states. It is the most popular choice in the country as a state animal, having been designated as such by Arkansas in 1993, Illinois in 1980, Nebraska in 1981, New Hampshire in 1983, Ohio in 1988, Pennsylvania in 1959, and South Carolina in 1972. Michigan (1997) and Mississippi (1974) also include it among their designated state animals. The whitetail is a medium-sized, brown deer that was an important source of food and leather for the indigenous peoples of the country. It remains the country’s most important game animal and is prized for its meat (called "venison") and the challenge of hunting it, especially with a bow and arrow. Whitetails are larger in the northern part of its range and the smallest sub-species can be found in the southernmost part of the US in the Florida Keys. Close-up STATUS Official State Animal ALSO KNOWN AS Virginia deer, Columbian white-tailed deer, Southern white-tailed deer, whitetail PHYSICAL DETAILS Reddish brown in summer and grayish brown in winter. A small population of white (not albino) deer is found in upstate New York. Males shed their antlers from late December to February and re-grow them every year in late spring when they are covered with a fuzzy tissue known as "velvet."    Males Females Size length 4–8 ft (120-240 cm); shoulder height 32–42 in (80-106 cm) length 62–87 in (160-220 cm); shoulder height 32–40 in (80-100 cm) Weight 130–300 lbs (60 kg–130 kg); average 250 lbs (114 kg); largest 500 lbs (230 kg) 90–200 lbs (40–90 kg); average 150 lbs (68 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 15 years; average of 2–3 years in the wild HABITAT Range: Southern Canada to Peru; absent from California, Nevada, and Utah; introduced to parts of Europe and New Zealand. Conservation: Least Concern (LC). Deer were severely depleted throughout their range in the U.S. by the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hunting restrictions brought populations back to historic levels, but then the elimination of the animal’s natural predators led to an overpopulation of whitetail deer over much of its range. BEHAVIOR Whitetails will stay completely still when they sense danger and then will raise their tail in a flash of white and run away at great speed. They are athletic animals that can jump 8-foot (2.5-m) fences and swim at 13 mph (21 kph). Male deer ("bucks") grow antlers they use for marking trees in their territory and sparring with other males to determine the hierarchy within the herd. Bucks rarely eat or rest during the mating season (the "rut") when they will attempt to mate with as many females as possible. Whitetail females ("does") will tenaciously defend their fawns, up to the point of risking their own lives. Top land speed recorded: 40 mph (64 kph) DIET Plant shoots, twigs, buds, leaves, pine needles, cactus, grasses, acorns, wild apples, plums, corn, mushrooms, sumac, hay, and grains. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: May–June Average litter size: 1–3 fawns Size at birth: 3–14 lbs (1.4–6.3 kg); average 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) for females and 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) for males TRIVIA The white-tailed deer is an iconic symbol of the American wilderness. Davy Crockett and his buckskin attire symbolized how Americans adapted to their environment and conquered the vast wilderness. Whitetail-related stories like The Yearling and Bambi are a part of the national culture. Deer hunting is also an extremely popular sport and an important source of income in many rural areas. Many collegiate and professional sports teams are named after the whitetail, including the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. A profile of a whitetail buck’s head appears on the state flag and the coat of arms of the state of Vermont.
	Click to enlarge an image White-tailed Buck White-tailed Doe and Fawn Young Fawn New Antlers on White-tailed Deer CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Odocoileus Species: O. virginianus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

South Carolina State Mammal
North Atlantic Right Whale (common name) Eubalaena glacialis (scientific name) Overview Three right whale species are recognized in the genus Eubalaena: the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), the Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), and the North Pacific right whale(Eubalaena japonica). They are called "right whales" because whalers thought these whales were the "right" ones to hunt since they live near shore. They swim slowly and when they die, they float. Populations were vastly reduced by intensive hunting during the active years of the whaling industry. The North Atlantic right whale is the world's most endangered large whale, with fewer than 350 animals remaining. This whale was designated the official migratory marine mammal of South Carolina in 2009. Georgia selected it as its official state marine mammal in 1985 because the only known calving grounds of this whale lie within 15 miles of the Georgia and north Florida coastline.  ALSO KNOWN AS Biscayensis, nordcaper Close-up STATUS Official Migratory Marine Mammal PHYSICAL DETAILS The head of the right whale is large, about 1/4 of the body length, and its body is stocky and very dark gray or black. The animal has a broad back without a dorsal fin and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye. Right whales have callosities on their heads. These callosities appear white, not because of skin pigmentation but because of large colonies of cyamids or whale lice. The tail is broad, deeply notched, and all black with a smooth trailing edge. Two rows of long baleen plates hang from the upper jaw, with about 225 plates on each side. Right whales have a distinctive, wide V-shaped blow, caused by the widely spaced blowholes on the top of the head. The blow rises to 16 ft (5 m) above the ocean's surface.    Males Females Size Adults are generally 45 to 55 feet (13.7 to 16.7 m) in length Females are larger than males. Weight Adults typically weigh 60–80 tons. Adults typically weigh 60–80 tons. LIFESPAN Very little is known about the life span of right whales because they are so scarce; 70 years or more may not be uncommon. HABITAT Range: Shallow, coastal waters of the North Atlantic Conservation Status: Endangered. A worldwide total ban on right whaling was agreed upon in 1937. The ban was largely successful, although some whaling continued in violation of the ban for several decades. Leading causes of death among the North Atlantic right whale are collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear. BEHAVIOR Although they are slow swimmers, right whales are highly acrobatic and frequently breach, tail-slap, and lobtail. Right whales are not gregarious and typically live in pairs. Their only non-human predator is the orca. When threatened, a group of right whales encircle their young, with their tails pointing outward, to deter a predator. Calves are, however, occasionally separated from their mother and killed. Right whales feed by "skimming" along with their mouth open. Water and food enter the mouth but only the water can pass through the baleen and out again into the open sea. DIET Zooplankton, primarily the tiny crustaceans called copepods, as well as krill and pteropods. OFFFSPRING Breeding interval: 3–5 years Birthing period: December through March Average litter size: 1 calf Size at birth: 1 ton in weight and 4–6 m (13–20 ft) in length TRIVIA The Basques began hunting right whales in the Bay of Biscay as early as the 11th century. They hunted whales initially for oil, but as meat preservation technology improved they also ate the whales. One way individuals can help in the fight to save the North Atlantic right whale is by sponsoring a whale. There are three right whale sponsorship programs in North America: the New England Aquarium; the Ocean Society in Atlanta, Georgia; and East Coast Ecosystems in Freeport, Nova Scotia.
	Click to enlarge an image Right Whale and Young Calf Right Whale Breaching Full View of Right Whale Close-up of Right Whale CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Suborder: Mysticeti Family: Balaenidae Genus: Eubalaena Species: glacialis
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

South Carolina State Marine Mammal
Bottlenose Dolphin (common name) Tursiops truncates (scientific name) Overview Dolphins belong to the order of cetaceans and are actually toothed whales.  They are, therefore, warm-blooded animals that give birth to live young, whom they suckle.  Bottlenose dolphins have keen hearing and sight, as well as a reputation for being extremely intelligent. Dolphins use echoes to sense their surroundings and communicate with each other using sounds such as clicks and whistles. They're also strong, fast swimmers that can dive deep and jump completely out of the water. ALSO KNOWN AS Sea angel Close-up STATUS Official State Marine Mammal PHYSICAL DETAILS The bottlenose dolphin gets its name from its short, stubby snout, which on its flattened oval body vaguely resembles a bottle's neck. Its nose is actually a blowhole on top of its head. This dolphin has a triangular back fin, two short flippers at the sides of its body used for steering, and a forked tail. The top of its body is gray, ranging in shade from slate to medium gray. Its sides are lighter colored, and its belly can range from pale gray to pinkish. A bottlenose has up to 100 conical teeth. Points are quite sharp, an adaptation that helps this dolphin keep hold of slippery prey.  Males Females Size 8–13 feet long (2.5–3.6 m) 7–10 feet long (2.4–3.7 m)   Weight 400–800 lbs (180–362 kg) 400–700 lbs (270–317 kg) LIFESPAN About 30 years old HABITAT Shallow coastal waters including bays, around ocean islands, lagoons, estuaries, and occasionally near the mouths of rivers. Range: Tropical and temperate oceans worldwide. Conservation: Not endangered, but coastal populations have shown they are on the decline because of pollution, habitat degradation, hunting, as well as accidental deaths caused by getting trapped in fishing gear. BEHAVIOR Bottlenose dolphins are social animals, usually traveling in pods, groups of individuals of various sizes. When feeding, much larger groups of perhaps hundreds of dolphins can forage together. Smaller groups may break off from the larger group to perform a particular activity, such as raising new calves, and return to the larger group later. Dolphins communicate using both sounds that can be heard and echolocation. During mating season, males may fight each other to get near females or try to defend small groups of females from other males. On the other hand they sometimes work together to separate a receptive female from her group. An individual male can also attract a female using physical movements such as arching his back. A female gives birth about a year after mating, usually to a single calf. The newborn nurses for up to 20 months and stays close to its mother for years afterward. When a mother bottlenose must leave a group to forage, other pod members look after her offspring while she's gone. A female is mature when she's five to 10 years old, and a male when he's eight to 13. Bottlenoses often don't begin mating until years after they mature. Top swimming speed recorded: 22 mph (35 kph) DIET Fish, including catfish, eel, and tuna, as well as squid and crustaceans such as crab and shrimp. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Every 3-6 years Birthing period: Year round Average litter size: one Size at birth: 20–66 pounds (9–30 kg) TRIVIA Bottlenose dolphins may migrate, but usually retain the same territory for decades. Although generally strong predators, young, weak, and aging bottlenose dolphins are prey for sharks and killer whales. Bottlenoses are known for their ability to learn, which makes them popular in aquarium shows and on television programs or in movies. They also fill noncombatant roles by the military, detecting underwater mines or enemy divers.
	Click to enlarge an image Bottlenose Dolphin Surfing a Boat's Wake Bottlenose Dolphins at Play Closeup of Bottlenose Dolphin CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Family: Delphinidae Genus: Tursiops Species: Truncatus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

South Carolina State Mammal
Boykin Spaniel (common name) Canis familiaris (scientific name) Overview A Boykin spaniel is bred to flush out and retrieve game. It originated in the Wateree River Swamp area of So, bred especially to hunt wild turkeys, but it also provides adept help on duck or pheasant hunts. It's strong and persistent enough to drive deer, and small and still enough to sit in a small rowboat. In spite of their hunting abilities, these dogs are generally docile and even-tempered, and make better pets than many other types of hunting dogs. ALSO KNOWN AS Boykin, "Don’t rock the boat" dog Close-up STATUS Official State Dog PHYSICAL DETAILS The Boykin spaniel is a sturdy, medium-sized spaniel. Its coat is deep brown to reddish brown, and the dog has long, feathery hairs on its ears, belly, and legs. It has a medium-long, pointed muzzle, small brown eyes, and a domed skull. Its high-set ears are covered with long hair and hang at either side of its face. It has a solid neck and chest, but its haunches are narrower. The Boykin spaniel's tail is a short stub that usually sticks straight out in back, but this is not a natural characteristic. It's traditional to cut the dog's tail when it's three to five days old, since a long tail is not an asset on a hunting dog. Both hunting and show dogs usually have short tails, though Boykins kept purely as pets may sometimes keep their tails.   Males Females Size 15.5–18 in (39.4–45.7 cm) 12.5–16 in (35.6–40.6 cm) Weight 30–40 lbs (13.6–18.2 kg) 25–35 lbs (11.4–15.9 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 15 years HABITAT Purpose-bred dog with no natural habitat. Best suited to spending most of its time outdoors in large yards, on farms, or in other large enclosed areas. Range: Originated in U.S. and mostly found on the East Coast of the U.S. Also occasionally kept as a pet in other areas and countries. Conservation: Least Concern (LC). BEHAVIOR As a purpose-bred dog that always lives with humans, the Boykin spaniel lacks the natural feeding and mating rhythms a wild dog would have. Its behavior is dictated by its owner, and by whether the dog is primarily intended to be a hunter, a show dog, or a pet. Unlike many hunting dogs, this one is small enough to be a pet in most areas, as long as it's allowed regular exercise and retrieving games. It's a strong swimmer, and will take to the water to play when possible. It usually has a particularly nice disposition, and is relatively easy to train either as a hunter or as a pet. DIET A Boykin spaniel eats what its owner feeds it, usually a combination of processed dog food and fresh food. Cooked whole grains or fish, raw meat, produce like berries, melons, bananas, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli stalk, oranges, zucchini squash, and green beans can all be part of the diet. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: N/A Average litter size: 5-7 puppies Size at birth: 8 oz (225 g) TRIVIA Local stories tell of a stray spaniel adopted by a South Carolina family named Boykin, who found that their pet had good hunting abilities. The dog was bred with other hunting dogs, and the descendants are known as Boykin spaniels. Originally, the Boykin spaniel was valued because it could fit in the tiny boats South Carolinians used to hunt in the Wateree Swamp. The Boykin Spaniel became South Carolina's official dog on March 26, 1985.
	Click to enlarge an image Closeup of Boykin Spaniel Boykin Spaniel CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Species: C. familiaris
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press