♪ You don't have to travel far out your front door to experience South Carolina's amazing wildlife.

These common yet unique creatures live harmoniously between our world and theirs.

Though some of our animal neighbors can be bothersome or downright destructive, they surprisingly play an important ecological role, whether we see it or not.

♪ It's time to show a little appreciation for a few of these essential critters and discover what's wild in your backyard.

♪ The Eastern Grey Squirrel is a typical site in the state of South Carolina.

The grey squirrel is in fact a rodent, sharing the same classification as mice and rats.

Despite the negative associations, the grey squirrel is a powerhouse when it comes to forest regeneration.

That's because they are major predators of seeds and nuts in the woodland ecosystem.

Not only do they disperse seeds by foraging, but they also have a peculiar habit of saving some for later.

In this behavior, known as "caching," it's estimated in one season they can bury up to 10,000 nuts, only recovering a quarter of what they stored for winter.

♪ Often overlapping the same habitat distribution, the Southern Fox Squirrel is twice the size of its cousin, the grey squirrel, and is the largest tree squirrel in North America.

Fox squirrels typically inhabit mature pinewood forests around the coastal plain of South Carolina.

They are considered to be the most variably colored tree squirrels in the world with colors ranging from grey to black to brown.

Like all squirrels, their front teeth, or incisors never stop growing, so they constantly gnaw on objects and grind their teeth to wear them down.

♪ Fox squirrels often engage in a behavior known as "scent-marking," where they rub their cheeks on the surfaces of their environment and food.

They secrete pheromones from the apocrine glands around their mouth to mark their territory, help them find mates, and orient themselves to their habitat.

♪ Fox squirrels also serve as a warning system for the forest.

They are quite vocal and communicate with other squirrels to warn them of potential predators.

This is often accompanied with tail whipping, a sign that lets the predator know it's been spotted and has lost the element of surprise.

♪ Widespread loss of preferred habitat has made the fox squirrel a rare sight in many parts of the state.

On one of South Carolina's remote barrier islands, fox squirrels have been able to thrive due to their isolated location.

For hundreds of years, Daufuskie Island has been the permanent home for these furry tree dwellers.

One of the best ways to experience them in the wild is with Daufuskie Island's guided eco-tours.

♪ Since 2011, the Tour Daufuskie Organization has been providing adventures for families and visitors.

On this all-encompassing educational tour, guests can explore the unique, natural side of the island and learn about its rich ecosystem.

♪ Hopefully with deeper understanding, people will appreciate the function these vital animals provide in the wild and so close to home.

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