The red-cockaded woodpecker, or Picoides borealis, is native to South Carolina's coastal plains region, located in the eastern region of the state. The male red-cockaded woodpecker's primary characteristic is a tuft of red feathers on its crown. According to South Carolina's Department of Natural Resources, this bird was one of the first birds to receive protection from the Endangered Species Act.
Wood storks, or Mycteria Americana, are found in several of South Carolina's wildlife refuges, including Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge and Santee National Wildlife Refuge. This species of storks are wetland birds, meaning they live in aquatic habitats. As adults, wood storks are approximately 50 inches tall.
According to Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation, the smooth coneflower, or Echinacea laevigata, only occurs in 10 counties throughout Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina. The primary cause of the smooth coneflower's endangerment is road construction and agricultural development. These plants have wood stalks and pinkish, drooping flower petals.
Relict trillium, or Trillium reliquum, are only found in three states: Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service labeled this plant as endangered in 1988. Relict trilliums are plants without any stems and only three leaves, which rest a few inches above the ground. These plants are found in hilly and forested areas.
Indiana bats, or Myotis sodalis, are a small bat species found throughout the Midwest and Southeast states, including South Carolina. When fully mature, these bats are less than 2 inches long. The main causes for these bats' endangerment is human disturbance and vandalism. The Endangered Species Act has protected the Indiana bat since 1967.
West Indian manatees, or Trichechus manatus, live in South Carolina's ocean saltwater inlets and the Atlantic Ocean. These large sea mammals are found in South Carolina during the summer months. West Indian manatees are herbivorous -- only eat vegetation -- and can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes. Chief reasons for endangerment are loss of habitat and accidental killing when hit by moving water vessels.
Found in South Carolina's coastal region, the hawksbill sea turtle, or Eretmochelys imbricata, is a marine faring reptile. This sea turtle comes to South Carolina during the winter and uses Palmetto State's beaches for nesting. Hawksbill sea turtles are on the U.S. Endangered Species List and the major causes for its endangerment is overhunting and when humans capture their eggs for collections.
American alligators, or Alligator mississippiensis, are usually active during the summer in South Carolina. In South Carolina, this reptilian species lives in the Coastal Plains region of the state. Although their populations have increased since the 1970s, American alligators are still threatened from human encroachment and overhunting.