♪ Narrator>> The state of South Carolina is home to some of the most fascinating and diverse wildlife on the planet.

♪ It's varying geographic regions host a variety of ecosystems, each providing the necessary ingredients for life to flourish and grow.

♪ Just as remarkable are the people whose mission is to protect and ensure that these fragile habitats continue to thrive.

♪ Now, it's time to learn and discover What's Wild.

♪ Hi, I'm Desiree Cheeks.

Today we are at the South Carolina Aquarium, home to over 5,000 animals.

In this episode of What's Wild, we'll be learning about some of our amazing native species along the coast.

First, let's dive in to see what type of animals inhabit an area that was once a prehistoric shoreline.

♪ (birds chirping) ♪ There are approximately 18,000 bird species around the world.

♪ These highly adaptable descendants of the dinosaurs are found on every continent from the icy waters of Antarctica to the canopies of tropical rainforests.

♪ Even though they come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, all birds share the same characteristics of having wings, feathers, and the ability to lay eggs.

In South Carolina, some birds travel vast distances called migrations, while others prefer to stay year-round.

♪ One special bird, called the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, lives in a very distinct habitat of the state and has one wild story.

♪ ♪ natural forest sounds ♪ The Red Cockaded Woodpecker is commonly located in the geographic region of South Carolina known as the Sandhills.

♪ What's wild about the Sandhills is that it was once a beach.

Over millions of years, the ocean receded due to a cool down period in our planet's history known as an ice age.

Today, the Sandhills region is home to a unique ecosystem dominated by rolling hills, pine forests, and some of South Carolina's rarest wildlife.

♪ (birds chattering) Because there is so much sand, rainfall drains rapidly in the Sandhills so only the most well-equipped plants and animals can survive in this harsh environment.

♪ Trees like the Longleaf Pine have adapted and grown wide stretching root systems to extract nutrients and water over a larger area and have also developed a fire-resistant bark.

♪ One of the uncommon features of the Sandhills is that it often experiences lightning-induced fires.

Now, prescribed man-made burnings help promote healthy new growth and regulate other tree species, making the Longleaf Pine the primary roosting site for the Red Cockaded Woodpecker.

♪ Unlike most woodpeckers who prefer dead trees, the Red Cockaded Woodpecker is the only woodpecker that nests in live pine trees.

That is because Longleaf Pine secretes pine resin, a sticky sap that provides the perfect defense for nests against predators.

♪ [knocking on tree] The Red Cockaded Woodpecker gets its name from the stripe of red feathers located behind the eye of male birds.

They live in families called clans, often foraging and working together within a territorial cluster of trees.

Within the clan lies a complex social system, typically consisting of a male and a female breeding pair with one or two helpers.

The helpers are usually made up of the male offspring of the breeding pair and take turns incubating the eggs, excavating new nests, and feeding the babies.

♪ When searching for new trees to nest in, Red Cockaded Woodpeckers often pick trees infected with red heart disease, a fungal infection that causes the inside of the tree to rot, making the work of pecking new holes easier.

Sadly, deforestation has caused this once flourishing ecosystem to shrink, decreasing the bird population.

Due to habitat loss, the Red Cockaded Woodpecker was among one of the first species to be listed as endangered.

To help restore the population, wildlife management has come up with some crafty ways of preserving the species.

Artificial nests like these help the Red Cockaded Woodpecker by providing a breeding home in trees that the birds would otherwise be unable to excavate.

Both artificial and natural nests are marked off with white bands around the trunk of the trees and are monitored for activity.

To get this data, the South Carolina Forestry Commission use specialized cameras rigs to get a closer look into the bird's movement and population.

♪ Hopefully, in time this information will prove useful in the recovery of this amazing little bird.

♪ The coast of South Carolina is home to a variety of unique habitats, some playing a pivotal role in the environment that often goes unseen.

Next, let's take a look at one of these vital ecosystems and see some common critters you might find there.

♪ (birds singing) (crickets chirping) With nearly half a million acres, South Carolina has more marshland than any state on the East Coast.

(crunching in mud) This rich and diverse ecosystem brimming with all types of marine species has a dynamic rhythm to it.

(wind blowing) Life here revolves around the ebb and flow of the tides.

It is the heartbeat of the saltwater marsh, bringing and taking with it a swarm of activity.

(crickets chirping) Those who have learned to adapt to its changing environment have been able to exceedingly grow in numbers and thrive in some of the wildest ways.

♪ (crickets chirping) The saltwater marsh serves many purposes, aside from providing a home to countless organisms.

They act as filters for the environment, removing toxins and sediment from the water.

Marshes also protect the mainland by acting as a buffer, delaying and absorbing storm surges.

Economically, the salt marsh is extremely valuable to the South Carolina commercial fishing industry.

(seagulls squawking) Three quarters of all species harvested as seafood spend at least part of their lives here.

One of the most noticeable features of the marsh is the rampant marsh grass called Spartina.

This plant has little to no competition or predators.

Few other plants can withstand the salinity and virtually no grazing animals can reach it because of the marsh's soft surface called pluff mud.

When Spartina leaves die in the fall, they break down into an organic soup known as detritus.

Small invertebrates and microscopic organisms feed on detritus and start a food web that extends to all the animals of the marsh.

One of these creatures is the fiddler crab, named so for its unusually large claw that resembles a violin.

(whimsical background music) Their sexually dimorphic claw is only found in male crabs and can account for 65% of their body weight.

♪ Far too big to eat with, the claw or chelipid is used for fashion more so than function.

Male fiddler crabs rhythmically wave their major claws up and down to attract females for mating and to intimidate potential male competitors.

♪ Their burrows, reaching several feet underground, help aerate the pluff mud and are used for mating as well as seeking refuge from predators and the tides.

♪ A similar species called the Squareback Marsh Crab, has a more daring approach when it comes to evading the elements.

Also known as "wharf crabs," they've adapted to become expert tree climbers in intertidal zones.

When they're not in the trees, most of their time is spent eating insects and soft maritime vegetation on the forest floor.

Like most crustaceans in the marsh, they too play an integral part of the ecosystem.

♪ With over half the country's population living near the coast, the cumulative impact of water flow alterations and pollutants is the greatest threat to the saltwater marsh.

Since 1979, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has been keeping tabs on the local crustacean population throughout the state.

Once a month, this division of marine biologists in Charleston board their research vessel, the "Silver Crescent," and sail in South Carolina's larger creeks, rivers and open waters to conduct sampling excursions.

(seagulls squawking) To get these samples, a 20 foot trawl net is deployed and dragged at various depths to catch shrimp, blue crabs, and all manner of marine life.

♪ Once the catch is hauled in, the crew begins analyzing and recording the size, sex and maturity of key species, as well as making observations about the health status of these animals.

A water sample is also collected to measure the temperature and salinity of their environment since these factors can influence population abundances and movement patterns.

(seagulls squawking) The data collected by this long term survey is not only important for determining the overall health of the populations and habitats, but is also crucial in deciding commercial seasons.

♪ It's efforts like these that will keep unique environments like the saltwater marsh flourishing for years to come.

♪ The South Carolina Aquarium's largest exhibit is the Great Ocean Tank.

It extends from the first floor, all the way to the third floor and is the deepest tank in North America.

However, this isn't the only unique attraction at the aquarium.

It also features a one-of-a-kind experience for students and learners of all ages by providing a space that inspires both conservation and education.

Now, let's sit down with some of the aquarium's staff and see what ways they're keeping visitors engaged.

>> I've been at the aquarium for a little over eight years, and I oversee our volunteers that engage with guests on the floor and teach people about the galleries and the animals that we have here.

And then I also oversee our teen programs in which we bring in teens from our community and even all over the state of South Carolina to learn about conservation and all the work that we do here and how they can be a part of it.

One of the things that we really prioritize at the aquarium, is having a personalized experience.

People come in here and we want to make sure that they know that we care that they're here, and that their walking into our building really helps us take care of the animals.

As a non-profit, a lot of the money that comes through admissions goes right back into caring for the very animals that they're looking at today.

So we want to make sure that people understand that it's important that they're here, we appreciate that they're here, and we want to make sure they have fun, and they learn something and maybe help them leave here with an enhanced sense of respect for the animals that live in the environment that we share with them.

Something that makes the aquarium really special is that we really highlight the native species of South Carolina.

So our aquarium is set up to mimic as if you're taking a trip from the mountains all the way to the sea.

There's so many unique and special habitats in the state of South Carolina, and you kind of get to see a little bit of all of that, how they're all related.

So we're bringing animals from their own backyard or maybe from the ocean right here for them to look at up close.

♪ I think one of the most impactful exhibits is our sea turtle recovery exhibit.

>> I've been at the South Carolina Aquarium for about a year and a half now, but I've been working with sea turtles all over the southeast for about five years.

The sea turtle care center started back in 2000 with a kiddie pool in the basement of the facility, and over the years, that need for sea turtle rehab kind of grew and grew, and the aquarium was fortunate enough to be able to retrofit our basement to be a fully functioning sea turtle hospital to intake those patients from the entire state of South Carolina, because we are the only facility.

So, anywhere from as far north as Myrtle Beach to as far south as Hilton Head, anywhere in between, those turtle patients will come in and receive that rehabilitation or that care that they need, so that they can live a healthy life back out in the wild and continue to contribute to their populations.

We are partnered with the Department of Natural Resources, and anybody could see a sick or injured sea turtle and call the Department of Natural Resources.

We really say that the public are the first responders, so they will call the Department of Natural Resources, and then they will deploy either their staff members or their group of volunteers who are permitted to work with these species.

They will go pick up those animals, then they will drive them here to us, and then we kind of take it from there with that intake.

Sea turtles, in general, are something that are referred to as an umbrella species because they are so resilient within their environment.

They're a good indicator for what's actually happening in that environment.

So, if there's some sort of pollution that's happening and you see that the sea turtles are struggling, you know that something is wrong in that area.

In the state of South Carolina, we have four native species of sea turtles.

The leatherback sea turtle, the loggerhead, which is actually our state reptile, green sea turtles, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

And most often we see the three smaller ones, the loggerheads, the greens, and the Kemp's ridley sea turtles in the aquarium.

Those are the ones that are closer to shore and we see most frequently, and we have released 359 sea turtles since we have opened our doors to sea turtle rehab.

♪ I love my job.

This is a passion that I've had ever since I was about six years old, and it's incredible to see these turtles come in so sick and so injured as an endangered species, in particular, to rehabilitate them and watch them grow, and then to be able to release them.

It's a pretty emotional process to be able to see how far they can come and what a difference that my team has made for that animal's life to know that their quality of life has been so much improved since they've come into the hospital.

>> You know, ever since I've come to the aquarium, I feel like this is a place where I can make a difference, you know, and make the world a little bit of a better place and that might sound a little corny, but I really feel that way because of the way that we move forward with our conservation efforts and by teaching people and making it accessible to people.

What we want is to create stewards for the environment.

And so it's one thing to come and look at us doing it.

It's another thing to empower people to do it themselves.

And that's where we're going to see a really big difference and a really big impact in a positive direction in the environment.

Sometimes conservation can seem a little overwhelming.

If we can kind of take that spin away from it and say, "These are the issues, but guess what?

"There's a lot of hope, and there's a lot "of opportunities for us to make it better.

"And it doesn't have to be on a huge grand scale, it can be on a small scale in our everyday lives."

I feel so privileged to get to be one of the people that helps teach people that, and show us that we can make a difference in a positive way, and we can make the world a better place.

>> Throughout South Carolina, you'll find several groups sharing a common purpose of protecting wildlife and inspiring others through education.

Let's learn about an organization that is looking after Charleston's 350 resident dolphin population and what they're doing to make sure these incredible animals have a safe home for the future.

(waves breaking) ♪ Desiree>> South Carolina's coastal region is well known for its sandy white beaches, historic cities and popular tourist attractions.

This area is also home to the states' 35 barrier islands.

These islands provide a multitude of benefits to the environment and serve as a vital habitat for fauna and flora along the coast.

♪ The ever changing terrain has created some of the state's most beautiful landscapes, and has caused animals here to adapt in some of the most amazing ways.

♪ (birds chirping) Barrier islands received their name from the fact that they create a protective barrier between the mainland and the ocean.

♪ Though each barrier island is unique, many share the same characteristics.

Grassy dunes typically form directly behind the beaches, giving way to dense maritime forests and estuaries facing the mainland.

Beaches here undergo constant and drastic erosion.

In some areas, up to five feet of shoreline is washed away every year.

♪ This erosion can eventually cause the ocean to cut into the maritime forest leaving behind a graveyard of trees.

♪ (waves breaking) At some point in their life, it's estimated between 75% and 95% of all marine species rely on this dramatic landscape.

♪ On Kiawah Island, bottlenose dolphins have developed a feeding tactic that takes place nowhere else.

Working as a team, dolphins corral fish around shallow creeks and rivers forcing them towards the shoreline.

To find their prey, dolphins use echolocation by producing thousands of high frequency clicks that bounce off nearby objects.

These sound waves travel back to the dolphins and they're able to detect fish with pinpoint precision.

Once the dolphins are in position, they rush the shore synchronized creating a tidal wave that pushes the fish ashore, momentarily beaching themselves in the process.

♪ This behavior, known as strand feeding, is passed down from mother to calf and takes years to master.

♪ Dolphins have been observed using several other advanced feeding behaviors around the world, even using tools such as sponges to dig for prey on the seafloor.

In fact, dolphins are among the smartest creatures on the planet with a brain to body ratio second only to humans.

♪ Most cetaceans like dolphins and whales share similar characteristics such as being sociable, having long lifespans and taking a longer time to reach adulthood.

Their brains are so well developed, they are quite possibly able to experience complex emotions such as joy, fear, and grief.

♪ ♪ Even though bottlenose dolphins are not endangered, they are a federally protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Dolphin populations face both natural and human related challenges such as disease, pollution, and habitat loss.

Fortunately, organizations like Charleston's Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network helped by providing first response aid and educating the public about South Carolina's resident dolphin population.

♪ Here at one of their organized events called Dolphin Camp, the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network inspires children to become future conservationists by learning how to safely care for stranded marine mammals and having a little fun in the process.

♪ The organization also helps gather data on dolphin populations with what they call citizen science.

By using a smart phone app, anyone can log dolphin sightings into a database that the network uses to help monitor the species and so that these wild creatures can be cherished for generations to come.

♪ Can't get enough of What's Wild ?

Go to scetv.org for more exciting episodes of South Carolina wildlife.

Also, be sure to visit our Facebook and Instagram page @SouthCarolinaETV to let us know what other plants or animals you'd like to see next.

From everyone at South Carolina ETV, I'm Desiree Cheeks.

Thanks for watching and remember to stay WILD!

♪ ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ >> This is literally the most outdoorsy I have ever been in my life ♪ (gun fire) (shrieks and laughs) (shrieks) ♪ >> This is our town.

>> This is our town.

♪ >> Salutations, and welcome everyone.

♪ >> Food is Southern culture.

♪ >> When I think of Southern cuisine, I think it's just filled with flavor filled with love.

♪ If South Carolina was a dish, it would be a tomato sandwich.

We have really hung our hats on that too.

♪ (laughter) ♪