WILDLIFE ON KIAWAH ISLAND

MARINE MAMMALS

A variety of marine mammals inhabit the ocean around Kiawah Island.  The most common by far is the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).  Adult dolphins will be 6-10 feet in length and weigh up to 500 pounds or more. These dolphins can be seen frequently in the surf, inlet, rivers, and creeks surrounding Kiawah Island.  One of the best spots to see dolphins is in Captain Sam's Inlet, which separates Kiawah from Seabrook Island on the western end of Kiawah's beach.  Dolphins can often be seen actively feeding in this area.  Sometimes observers will be lucky enough to see dolphins engaged in an activity known as strand feeding.  A group of dolphins which will herd a school of fish or shrimp up onto a sandbar or mudflat.  Then the dolphins will literally launch their bodies out of the water to feed.  It is a very unique behavior which is fascinating to watch.

On rare occasions, dolphins and other marine mammals, including seals and whales, will become stranded along our beach.  Typically these animals are sick or stressed in some way.  Kiawah Island is part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network which provides access to professionals trained to handle these occurrences.  It is important that the appropriate professionals are notified as quickly as possible so that they can respond to the situation immediately. 

 

If you see a marine mammal, dead or alive, along our beach please call Town Hall (768-9166), KICA Security (768-5566), or the SC Department of Natural Resources 24-hour hotline (1-800-922-5431) immediately.

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Town of Kiawah Island
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
(843) 768-9166
Email a Town Biologist
News and Information
Wildlife Sightings and Information
 
NEW 2012 Bobcat GPS Location Data
 
FAQ about Kiawah Wildlife 
 
Google Earth map of wildlife sightings by residents and visitors
 
Kiawah Island Bird Checklist (PDF)
 
"Wildlife As We See It" provided by the Kiawah Island Golf Resort
 
Report an interesting or unusual wildlife sighting to Town Biologists