Reptiles and Amphibians
Both reptiles and amphibians play vital roles in our ecosystem. From gopher tortoises to toads, each of these creatures contribute to our environment.
Reptiles
Sea turtles
Sea turtles are fascinating marine reptiles known for their graceful movements and long migrations. In Folly Beach, these ancient creatures, including the loggerhead and green turtles, play a vital role in the ecosystem by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs. Unfortunately, they are endangered due to threats like habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
How to protect them
To protect sea turtles, avoid disturbing nests, reduce plastic use, follow the light ordinance and support local conservation efforts, like Toby the Turtle.
Guidelines from SCDNR
- Never disturb a sea turtle crawling to or from the ocean.
- Once a sea turtle has begun nesting, observe her only from a distance.
- Do not shine lights on a sea turtle or take flash photography.
- Turn out all lights visible from the beach, dusk to dawn, from May through October.
- Turn off all outdoor and deck lighting to reduce disorientation for nesting adults and hatchlings.
- Close blinds and drapes on windows that face the beach or ocean.
- Fill in holes on the beach at the end of each day as adults and hatchlings can become trapped.
- Do not leave beach chairs, tents etc. on the beach overnight.
- Never attempt to ride a sea turtle.
Fun facts about sea turtles:
Loggerhead hatchlings born on our South Carolina beaches live the first years of their lives off the west coast of Africa.
Loggerhead sea turtles take 25-30 years to mature and reproduce.
100 species of animals and plants have been recorded living on one single loggerhead turtle, making it a living ecosystem!

Skinks
Skinks are unique reptiles that look like a mix between a lizard and a snake. If you ever see a flashes of red, orange and blue quickly scurry across your yard, it’s likely the five-lined skink. They may seem intimidating due to their snake-like movements, but these lizards are great for pest control in your backyard.
Other reptiles include green anoles, diamond-backed terrapin turtles and southern watersnakes.
For a full list of reptiles in South Carolina, click here.
Amphibians
Amphibians are creatures that can live in both land and water, such as frogs and toads. Listed below are some of the amicable amphibians you may find in your yard!
To view a full list of frogs and toads in South Carolina and their distribution, click here.
Toads
Similar to frogs, toads tend to be less "slimy" and larger than frogs. They are typically brown instead of green.
Why toads are good for your yard
Toads can enhance your garden in many ways. With a hefty appetite and long lifespan, they can be a great backyard visitor. They eat insects like grasshoppers and snails that can munch on your garden. Toads act as natural pest control that can save you from using harmful pesticides. According to the University of California, toads eat 50-100 insects a day, or 10,000 to 20,000 per year!
How to attract toads
If you want to attract amphibians, the SCWF recommends using a shallow dish like a pie plate and placing it on the ground with water inside. You can also place a cracked flowerpot or other sort of enclosure upside down on the dish to make shade for these creatures, referred to as a “toad abode” ...how cute! This also provides toads a place to lay their eggs, so you could even get some baby toads, or tadpoles.
For a step-by-step guide to create your own toad abode, click here.
Bonus: Creating a toad abode is one way to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat, with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.