Here are several species of the tortoise, besides those already mentioned; as the small land tortoise, already described by every traveller. There is a good figure and description of him in G. Edwards’s Gl. Nat. Hist. vol. II. p. 205. There are two species of fresh-water tortoises inhabiting the tide water rivers; one of which is large, weighing ten or twelve pounds, the back shell of nearly an oval form, and raised very high, the belly shell flat and entire, but deeply scolloped opposite their legs. The other species are small, comparatively, and the back shell lightly raised; both species are food for mankind, and esteemed delicious.
Of beasts, the otter (lutra) is common, but more so in West-Florida, towards the mountains. The several species of mustela are common; as the mink, weasel and polecat (putorius). Racoons and opossums, are in great abundance; these animals are esteemed delicious and healthy food. There are two species of wild-rats, but neither of them near as large as the European house rat, which are common enough in the settlements of the white people. Here are very few mice; yet I have seen some, particularly in Charleston. I saw two in a little wire cage, at a gentleman’s house, which were as white as snow, and their eyes red. There are yet a few beavers in East-Florida and Georgia, but they abound most in the north of Georgia, and in West-Florida, near the mountains. But the muskrat (castor cauda lanceolata) is never seen in Carolina, Georgia or Florida, within one hundred miles of the sea coast, and very few in the most northern parts of these regions; which must be considered as a most favourable circumstance, by the people in countries where there is so much banking and draining of the land, they being the most destructive creatures to dykes.
The roe-buck I have already mentioned. The bears are yet too numerous: they are a strong creature, and prey on the fruits of the country, and will likewise devour young calves, swine and sheep; but I never could learn a well attested instance of their attacking mankind. They weigh from five hundred to six hundred weight when full grown and fat: their flesh is greatly esteemed as food by the natives.
The wild cat, felis cauda truncata, (lynx) is common enough: it is a fierce and bold little animal, preying on young pigs, fawns, turkeys, &c. They are not half the size of a common cur dog, are generally of a greyish colour, and somewhat tabbied; their sides bordering on the belly are varied with yellowish brown spots, and almost black waving streaks, and brindled. I have been credibly informed that the wolves here are frequently seen pied, black and white, and of other mixed colours. They assemble in companies in the night time, howl and bark all together, especially in cold winter nights, which is terrifying to the wandering bewildered traveller.
The foxes of Carolina and Florida are of the smaller red species; they bark in the night round about plantations, but do not bark twice in the same place; they move precipitately and in a few minutes are heard on the opposite side of the plantation, or at a great distance: it is said that dogs are terrified at the noise, and cannot be persuaded or compelled to pursue them. They commit depredations on young pigs, lambs, poultry, &c.
The mole is not so common here as in the northern states.
The bats of Florida seem to be the same species of those in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and very little different from the European.
Here are several species of squirrels, (sciurus) peculiar to the lower countries, or maritime parts of Carolina and the Floridas, and some of them are very beautiful creatures.
The great black fox squirrel is above two feet in length from the nose to the end of the tail, which for about two inches is milk white, as are the ears and nose. The red fox squirrel is of the same size and form, of a light reddish brown upper side, and white under side, the ears and tip end of the tail white.
The grey fox squirrel is rather larger than either of the foregoing; their belly white, as are the ears, nose, and tip of the tail. These three seem to be varieties of the same species.