 and need only a small amount of standing water in which to lay its eggs, even water trapped in folded magnolia leaves. It is not only difficult to reduce its breeding habitat but also more difficult to control adult populations because it is active during the day, and pesticide spraying is only effective during the night.
The two major aquatic habitats on campus are the Placentia Canal, a county-maintained, fresh water drainage system which runs through the campus and drains into the Wilmington River, and the salt marsh estuary. Though they contain the same ecological components (producers, consumers and decomposers), fresh water and marine habitats are distinctly different in terms of their component species. Many amphibians (frogs and a large ell-like amphibian called the two-toed amphiuma) make their home in the canal, but no amphibians are found in marine habitats. Over 100 coastal marine and estuarine fishes have been collected from the salt marsh and nearly two dozen from the canal, but only a few species are at home in both habitats.
The reptilian inhabitants and visitors to the campus include a variety of non-poisonous snakes, lizards, geckos, and turtles. American alligators, though fairly abundant in some parts of the low country, are rare on or near the campus due to the lack of adequate fresh water habitats that they prefer. Natural resource personnel remove small alligators from the area to more suitable locations. The diamond back terrapin, an attractive turtle, lay its eggs on high ground in the salt marsh and several other turtle species are found on campus. Over 250 species of birds inhabit or visit the low country; however, fewer than 30 are seen daily on the campus. From the upland habitat of campus to salt marsh to sounds and beaches, the most commonly observed birds here are the common grackles, boat-tailed grackles, mockingbirds, common crows, fish crows, turkey vultures (buzzards), mourning dove, ground doves, swallows, red-winged blackbirds, cormorants, brown pelicans, five species of herons, three species of egrets, laughing gulls, ospreys, bald eagles, royal terns, least terns, and black skimmers. Winter migratory residents of the campus tidal creek include hooded mergansers and loons.
Fifty of nearly 100 species of coastal mammals recorded from the low country sea islands have been reported in Chatham County. They include both terrestrial species and marine species (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). The largest mammal encountered near the campus is the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Individuals and small pods have been observed from the University dock swimming up the tidal creek to feed on the abundant mullet. Pods exhibit a remarkable behavior here and in other tidal creeks of the low country: they chase schools of mullet onto the mud banks and emerge completely from the water onto the bank to feed on them.
Large river otters and mink are occasionally seen swimming or running along the mud banks and disappearing into the marsh grass along the tidal creek. Raccoons would probably be more abundant on campus were it not for the large populations of feral house cats that live and forage near the marsh and dormitory trash bins. Several undeveloped areas remain on the campus which contains natural understory vegetation of the maritime forest. These acres are principally located along the north margin of the campus bordered by the Placentia Canal, North Tompkins Road and Drew-Griffith Hall. Another small, but diverse section remains between the NROTC building and the Orsot Apartments.
No other instructional unit of the University System of Georgia can boast such a rich endowment of coastal habitats and ecosystems. On a calm cool evening in the early spring and late fall, the view through the oaks, pines, palms, cedars, and magnolias to the salt marsh grasses illuminated by the setting sun is a unique and enchanting experience of singular beauty, inspiration, and wonder.
The natural environments of its campus have enhanced the rich educational history and legacy of Savannah State University. This spir