Congaree National Park in South Carolina protects an old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and the wetland wildlife that lives in it. White-tailed deer, wild boars and bobcats roam the forest floor, while river otters, turtles and alligators use the wetlands and waterways. Bass, catfish and many other fish live in the Congaree and Wateree rivers.
Birds range from woodpeckers and owls to migratory songbirds and wading birds such as herons and egrets, and frogs, salamanders and countless insects live in the moist forest under the dense canopy. Keep reading to see featured photos of Congaree’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Congaree National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Congaree Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Congaree National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Seventh Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Congaree National Park Species List
The wildlife at Congaree National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Congaree National Park:
Species Spotlight
Photo posts of animals you’ll find in Congaree.
Congaree National Park Mammals
35 species
- American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- Big Brown Bat(Eptesicus fuscus)
- Bobcat Photo post(Lynx rufus)
- Common Gray Fox(Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Common Raccoon(Procyon lotor)
- Cotton Mouse(Peromyscus gossypinus)
- Coyote Photo post(Canis latrans)
- Domestic Cat(Felis catus)
- Domestic Dog(Canis familiaris)
- Eastern Cottontail(Sylvilagus floridanus)
- Eastern Fox Squirrel(Sciurus niger)
- Eastern Gray Squirrel(Sciurus carolinensis)
- Eastern Harvest Mouse(Reithrodontomys humulis)
- Eastern Mole(Scalopus aquaticus)
- Eastern Pipistrelle(Pipistrellus subflavus)
- Eastern Red Bat(Lasiurus borealis)
- Eastern Woodrat(Neotoma floridana)
- Evening Bat(Nycticeius humeralis)
- Feral Hog(Sus scrofa)
- Hispid Cotton Rat(Sigmodon hispidus)
- Least Shrew(Cryptotis parva)
- Marsh Rice Rat(Oryzomys palustris)
- Mink(Mustela vison)
- Northern Short-tailed Shrew(Blarina brevicauda)
- Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat(Corynorhinus rafinesquii)
- River Otter(Lontra canadensis)
- Southeastern Myotis(Myotis austroriparius)
- Southeastern Shrew(Sorex longirostris)
- Southern Flying Squirrel(Glaucomys volans)
- Southern Short-tailed Shrew(Blarina carolinensis)
- Star-nosed Mole(Condylura cristata)
- Striped Skunk(Mephitis mephitis)
- Virginia Opossum(Didelphis virginiana)
- White-footed Mouse(Peromyscus leucopus)
- White-tailed Deer Photo post(Odocoileus virginianus)
No mammals match.
Congaree National Park Birds
192 species
- Acadian Flycatcher(Empidonax virescens)
- American Bittern(Botaurus lentiginosus)
- American Black Duck(Anas rubripes)
- American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- American Goldfinch(Carduelis tristis)
- American Kestrel(Falco sparverius)
- American Pipit(Anthus rubescens)
- American Redstart(Setophaga ruticilla)
- American Robin Photo post(Turdus migratorius)
- American Wigeon(Anas americana)
- American Woodcock(Scolopax minor)
- Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga)
- Bachman’s Sparrow(Aimophila aestivalis)
- Bald Eagle Photo post(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Baltimore Oriole(Icterus galbula)
- Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)
- Barred Owl(Strix varia)
- Bay-breasted Warbler(Dendroica castanea)
- Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon)
- Bicknell’s Thrush(Catharus bicknelli)
- Black Vulture(Coragyps atratus)
- Black-and-white Warbler(Mniotilta varia)
- Black-billed Cuckoo(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
- Black-throated Blue Warbler(Dendroica caerulescens)
- Black-throated Green Warbler(Dendroica virens)
- Blackburnian Warbler(Dendroica fusca)
- Blackpoll Warbler(Dendroica striata)
- Blue Grosbeak(Guiraca caerulea)
- Blue Jay(Cyanocitta cristata)
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea)
- Blue-headed Vireo(Vireo solitarius)
- Blue-winged Teal(Anas discors)
- Blue-winged Warbler(Vermivora pinus)
- Bobolink(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
- Bonaparte’s Gull(Larus philadelphia)
- Broad-winged Hawk(Buteo platypterus)
- Brown Creeper(Certhia americana)
- Brown Thrasher(Toxostoma rufum)
- Brown-headed Cowbird(Molothrus ater)
- Brown-headed Nuthatch(Sitta pusilla)
- Canada Goose(Branta canadensis)
- Canada Warbler(Wilsonia canadensis)
- Cape May Warbler(Dendroica tigrina)
- Carolina Chickadee(Poecile carolinensis)
- Carolina Wren(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
- Caspian Tern(Sterna caspia)
- Cedar Waxwing(Bombycilla cedrorum)
- Cerulean Warbler(Dendroica cerulea)
- Chestnut-sided Warbler(Dendroica pensylvanica)
- Chimney Swift(Chaetura pelagica)
- Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina)
- Chuck-will’s-widow(Caprimulgus carolinensis)
- Cliff Swallow(Hirundo pyrrhonota)
- Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula)
- Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor)
- Common Snipe(Gallinago gallinago)
- Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas)
- Cooper’s Hawk(Accipiter cooperii)
- Dark-eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis)
- Double-crested Cormorant(Nannopterum auritum)
- Downy Woodpecker(Picoides pubescens)
- Eastern Bluebird(Sialia sialis)
- Eastern Kingbird(Tyrannus tyrannus)
- Eastern Meadowlark(Sturnella magna)
- Eastern Phoebe(Sayornis phoebe)
- Eastern Screech-owl(Megascops asio)
- Eastern Towhee(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
- Eastern Wood-pewee(Contopus virens)
- Eurasian Collared-dove(Streptopelia decaocto)
- European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris)
- Evening Grosbeak(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
- Field Sparrow(Spizella pusilla)
- Fish Crow(Corvus ossifragus)
- Fox Sparrow(Passerella iliaca)
- Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet(Regulus satrapa)
- Golden-winged Warbler(Vermivora chrysoptera)
- Gray Catbird(Dumetella carolinensis)
- Gray-cheeked Thrush(Catharus minimus)
- Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias)
- Great Crested Flycatcher(Myiarchus crinitus)
- Great Egret(Ardea alba)
- Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus)
- Greater Yellowlegs(Tringa melanoleuca)
- Green Heron(Butorides virescens)
- Green-winged Teal(Anas crecca)
- Hairy Woodpecker(Picoides villosus)
- Henslow’s Sparrow(Ammodramus henslowii)
- Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus)
- Hooded Merganser(Lophodytes cucullatus)
- Hooded Warbler(Wilsonia citrina)
- House Finch(Carpodacus mexicanus)
- House Sparrow(Passer domesticus)
- House Wren(Troglodytes aedon)
- Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea)
- Kentucky Warbler(Oporornis formosus)
- Killdeer(Charadrius vociferus)
- Least Flycatcher(Empidonax minimus)
- Lesser Yellowlegs(Tringa flavipes)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow(Melospiza lincolnii)
- Little Blue Heron(Egretta caerulea)
- Loggerhead Shrike(Lanius ludovicianus)
- Louisiana Waterthrush(Seiurus motacilla)
- Magnolia Warbler(Dendroica magnolia)
- Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)
- Merlin(Falco columbarius)
- Mississippi Kite(Ictinia mississippiensis)
- Mourning Dove(Zenaida macroura)
- Mourning Warbler(Oporornis philadelphia)
- Nashville Warbler(Vermivora ruficapilla)
- Northern Bobwhite(Colinus virginianus)
- Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis)
- Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus)
- Northern Harrier(Circus cyaneus)
- Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos)
- Northern Parula(Parula americana)
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
- Northern Shoveler(Anas clypeata)
- Northern Waterthrush(Seiurus noveboracensis)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher(Contopus borealis)
- Orange-crowned Warbler(Vermivora celata)
- Orchard Oriole(Icterus spurius)
- Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)
- Ovenbird(Seiurus aurocapillus)
- Palm Warbler(Dendroica palmarum)
- Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
- Philadelphia Vireo(Vireo philadelphicus)
- Pied-billed Grebe(Podilymbus podiceps)
- Pileated Woodpecker(Dryocopus pileatus)
- Pine Siskin(Carduelis pinus)
- Pine Warbler(Dendroica pinus)
- Prairie Warbler(Dendroica discolor)
- Prothonotary Warbler(Protonotaria citrea)
- Purple Finch(Carpodacus purpureus)
- Purple Martin(Progne subis)
- Red-bellied Woodpecker(Melanerpes carolinus)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta canadensis)
- Red-eyed Vireo(Vireo olivaceus)
- Red-headed Woodpecker(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
- Red-shouldered Hawk(Buteo lineatus)
- Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis)
- Red-winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus)
- Ring-billed Gull(Larus delawarensis)
- Ring-necked Duck(Aythya collaris)
- Rock Dove(Columba livia)
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
- Roseate Spoonbill(Ajaia ajaja)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Corthylio calendula)
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird(Archilochus colubris)
- Rusty Blackbird(Euphagus carolinus)
- Sand Martin(Riparia riparia)
- Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Scarlet Tanager(Piranga olivacea)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk(Accipiter striatus)
- Snowy Egret(Egretta thula)
- Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria)
- Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia)
- Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularia)
- Summer Tanager(Piranga rubra)
- Swainson’s Hawk(Buteo swainsoni)
- Swainson’s Thrush(Catharus ustulatus)
- Swainson’s Warbler(Limnothlypis swainsonii)
- Swallow-tailed Kite(Elanoides forficatus)
- Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana)
- Tennessee Warbler(Vermivora peregrina)
- Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor)
- Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor)
- Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
- Veery(Catharus fuscescens)
- Vesper Sparrow(Pooecetes gramineus)
- Warbling Vireo(Vireo gilvus)
- Western Cattle Egret(Ardea ibis)
- Western Kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis)
- Whip-poor-will(Antrostomus vociferus)
- White Ibis(Eudocimus albus)
- White-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis)
- White-eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus)
- White-throated Sparrow(Zonotrichia albicollis)
- Wild Turkey(Meleagris gallopavo)
- Winter Wren(Troglodytes troglodytes)
- Wood Duck(Aix sponsa)
- Wood Stork(Mycteria americana)
- Wood Thrush(Hylocichla mustelina)
- Worm-eating Warbler(Helmitheros vermivorus)
- Yellow Warbler(Dendroica petechia)
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus varius)
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo(Coccyzus americanus)
- Yellow-breasted Chat(Icteria virens)
- Yellow-crowned Night-heron(Nyctanassa violacea)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler(Dendroica coronata)
- Yellow-throated Vireo(Vireo flavifrons)
- Yellow-throated Warbler(Dendroica dominica)
No birds match.
Congaree National Park Reptiles
33 species
- American Alligator(Alligator mississippiensis)
- Broadhead Skink(Eumeces laticeps)
- Brown Snake(Storeria dekayi)
- Brown Water Snake(Nerodia taxispilota)
- Coachwhip(Masticophis flagellum)
- Common Garter Snake(Thamnophis sirtalis)
- Common Kingsnake(Lampropeltis getula)
- Common Musk Turtle(Sternotherus odoratus)
- Common Slider(Trachemys scripta)
- Common Snapping Turtle(Chelydra serpentina)
- Copperhead(Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Cottonmouth(Agkistrodon piscivorus)
- Eastern Box Turtle(Terrapene carolina)
- Eastern Cottonmouth(Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
- Eastern Hognose Snake(Heterodon platirhinos)
- Eastern Mud Turtle(Kinosternon subrubrum)
- Eastern Ribbon Snake(Thamnophis sauritus)
- Five-lined Skink(Eumeces fasciatus)
- Green Anole(Anolis carolinensis)
- Ground Skink(Scincella lateralis)
- Mud Snake(Farancia abacura)
- Plain-bellied Water Snake(Nerodia erythrogaster)
- Racer(Coluber constrictor)
- Redbelly Snake(Storeria occipitomaculata)
- Ringneck Snake(Diadophis punctatus)
- River Cooter(Pseudemys concinna)
- Rough Green Snake(Opheodrys aestivus)
- Southeastern Five-lined Skink(Eumeces inexpectatus)
- Southern Water Snake(Nerodia fasciata)
- Spotted Turtle(Clemmys guttata)
- Texas Ratsnake(Elaphe obsoleta)
- Timber Rattlesnake(Crotalus horridus)
- Worm Snake(Carphophis amoenus)
No reptiles match.
Congaree National Park Amphibians
28 species
- American Bullfrog(Lithobates catesbeianus)
- Barking Treefrog(Dryophytes gratiosus)
- Brimley’s Chorus Frog(Pseudacris brimleyi)
- Cope’s Gray Treefrog(Dryophytes chrysoscelis)
- Dwarf Salamander(Eurycea quadridigitata)
- Dwarf Waterdog(Necturus punctatus)
- Eastern Mud Salamander(Pseudotriton montanus)
- Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad(Gastrophryne carolinensis)
- Eastern Spadefoot(Scaphiopus holbrookii)
- Fowler’s Toad(Anaxyrus fowleri)
- Greater Siren(Siren lacertina)
- Green Frog(Lithobates clamitans)
- Green Treefrog(Dryophytes cinereus)
- Marbled Salamander(Ambystoma opacum)
- Mole Salamander(Ambystoma talpoideum)
- Northern Cricket Frog(Acris crepitans)
- Northern Slimy Salamander(Plethodon chlorobryonis)
- Pickerel Frog(Lithobates palustris)
- Pine Woods Treefrog(Dryophytes femoralis)
- Southern Chorus Frog(Pseudacris nigrita)
- Southern Cricket Frog(Acris gryllus)
- Southern Dusky Salamander(Desmognathus auriculatus)
- Southern Leopard Frog(Lithobates sphenocephalus)
- Southern Toad(Anaxyrus terrestris)
- Spring Peeper(Pseudacris crucifer)
- Squirrel Treefrog(Dryophytes squirellus)
- Three-lined Salamander(Eurycea guttolineata)
- Upland Chorus Frog(Pseudacris feriarum)
No amphibians match.
Congaree National Park Fish
60 species
- American Eel(Anguilla rostrata)
- Banded Pygmy Sunfish(Elassoma zonatum)
- Black Crappie(Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
- Blackbanded Sunfish(Enneacanthus chaetodon)
- Bluegill(Lepomis macrochirus)
- Bluehead Chub(Nocomis leptocephalus)
- Bluespotted Sunfish(Enneacanthus gloriosus)
- Bowfin(Amia calva)
- Brook Silverside(Labidesthes sicculus)
- Brown Bullhead(Ameiurus nebulosus)
- Chain Pickerel(Esox niger)
- Channel Catfish(Ictalurus punctatus)
- Coastal Shiner(Notropis petersoni)
- Common Carp(Cyprinus carpio)
- Creek Chubsucker(Erimyzon oblongus)
- Dollar Sunfish(Lepomis marginatus)
- Dusky Shiner(Notropis cummingsae)
- Eastern Mosquitofish(Gambusia holbrooki)
- Eastern Mudminnow(Umbra pygmaea)
- Eastern Silvery Minnow(Hybognathus regius)
- Flat Bullhead(Ameiurus platycephalus)
- Flathead Catfish(Pylodictis olivaris)
- Flier(Centrarchus macropterus)
- Gizzard Shad(Dorosoma cepedianum)
- Golden Shiner(Notemigonus crysoleucas)
- Green Sunfish(Lepomis cyanellus)
- Greenfin Shiner(Cyprinella chloristia)
- Ironcolor Shiner(Notropis chalybaeus)
- Lake Chubsucker(Erimyzon sucetta)
- Largemouth Bass(Micropterus salmoides)
- Lined Topminnow(Fundulus lineolatus)
- Longnose Gar(Lepisosteus osseus)
- Margined Madtom(Noturus insignis)
- Mud Sunfish(Acantharchus pomotis)
- Piedmont Darter(Percina crassa)
- Pirate Perch(Aphredoderus sayanus)
- Pumpkinseed(Lepomis gibbosus)
- Redbreast Sunfish(Lepomis auritus)
- Redear Sunfish(Lepomis microlophus)
- Redfin or Grass Pickerel(Esox americanus)
- Sailfin Shiner(Pteronotropis hypselopterus)
- Sawcheek Darter(Etheostoma serrifer)
- Shorthead Redhorse(Moxostoma macrolepidotum)
- Snail Bullhead(Ameiurus brunneus)
- Speckled Madtom(Noturus leptacanthus)
- Spottail Shiner(Notropis hudsonius)
- Spotted Sucker(Minytrema melanops)
- Spotted Sunfish(Lepomis punctatus)
- Swamp Darter(Etheostoma fusiforme)
- Swampfish(Chologaster cornuta)
- Tadpole Madtom(Noturus gyrinus)
- Taillight Shiner(Notropis maculatus)
- Tessellated Darter(Etheostoma olmstedi)
- Threadfin Shad(Dorosoma petenense)
- Warmouth(Chaenobryttus gulosus)
- Western Mosquitofish(Gambusia affinis)
- White Perch(Morone americana)
- Whitefin Shiner(Cyprinella nivea)
- Yellow Bullhead(Ameiurus natalis)
- Yellow Perch(Perca flavescens)
No fish match.
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Congaree National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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