Steven G. Platt

We conducted a survey from 1990 to 1995 to determine the distribution and status of the swamp rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus) in South Carolina. Populations appear largely confined to 3 counties in the Savannah river watershed of northwestern South Carolina. We found little evidence that a significant change in distribution has occurred in South Carolina since the species was first reported in the late 1930s. Swamp rabbits are restricted to bottomlands, but were found in a variety of successional habitats ranging from old-fields to mature hardwood forests.

Nesting ecology of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has been extensively studied in southwestern Louisiana, but little data exist from other parts of the state. Nesting ecology was investigated in an intermediate salinity marsh in southeastern Louisiana during 1987 and 1988. We located and examined 53 nests. Nesting habitat included spoilbanks, bulltongue (Sagittaria lancifolia) and wiregrass (Spartina patens) marshes. Floating marsh was not used. Mean clutch size was 29.4 ±1.7 eggs and mean egg mass was 64.1 ± 0.3 g. Nest temperatures were within the optimal range of 31...