Coyotes are now common across the South Carolina Upstate, but they have not always been here. Learn how coyotes reached the region, what they eat, why they thrive around our neighborhoods, and what homeowners should know when one shows up in the backyard.
A flash of electric blue caught our attention high along Pinnacle Mountain Trail. Meet the five-lined skink, one of Table Rock’s smallest, fastest and most colorful residents.
Turkey Vultures are a familiar sight above the South Carolina Upstate, but few people realize just how remarkable these birds are. Learn how they ride mountain winds, how to identify them in flight, and why they are an important part of the Upstate ecosystem.
What really happens in an Upstate backyard when no one is watching? In just two weeks, our cameras captured a black bear, bobcat, deer, armadillo, opossum, raccoons, birds and more, revealing a surprisingly busy world hiding in plain sight.
Officials say there are no sharks in Lake Hartwell. But bull sharks can survive in freshwater, the Savannah River once flowed without today’s massive dams, and real alligators have turned up where they supposedly don’t belong. We investigate the Upstate’s newest aquatic conspiracy.
A quiet trail camera in a wooded neighborhood just outside Table Rock State Park captured an unexpected visitor—a wild bobcat. Meet “Bob” and discover why these elusive cats are more common in the Upstate than most people realize, where they live, and what to do if you’re lucky enough to spot one.
With its glossy black body and impressive size, the Great Black Wasp may look intimidating, but it’s one of the Upstate’s most beneficial insects. Discover how this gentle giant controls grasshoppers, pollinates wildflowers, and quietly builds underground nests throughout South Carolina.
The Eastern Box Turtle is one of the Upstate’s most remarkable forest residents. Learn how to identify this iconic South Carolina species, where to find it around Pumpkintown, what it eats, how long it lives, and why protecting its habitat is essential for future generations.
Millipedes may look unusual, but they’re among the most beneficial creatures in Upstate forests. Learn how to identify them, why they aren’t dangerous, and the vital role they play in keeping our mountain ecosystems healthy.
Wolf spiders are common throughout Pumpkintown and the Upstate of South Carolina. Learn how to identify them, whether they’re dangerous, why they come inside, and why these giant hunters are actually beneficial.