South Carolina is home to several zoos, the most well-known being the Riverbanks Zoo, as it's one of the largest mid-sized zoos in the country. Most people don't even realize that there's a zoo in the Lowcountry tucked away inside the beautiful Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. It's called the Lowcountry Zoo, and it's one of six institutions in the state accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the most respected organization in America for zoos and aquariums. When comparing South Carolina zoos, this one stands apart with its unique location inside the scenic botanical gardens.

The Lowcountry Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina is located in the northeastern area of the complex, which is positioned in the area directly opposite the parking lot.

All native animals at this South Carolina zoo were bred and raised in captivity or are disabled due to injury. They could not survive in the wild.

Out of respect for the animals, Brookgreen Gardens asks guests not to feed the animals and to refrain from making loud noises around them. No food is allowed in the zoo.

You can follow the Lowcountry Zoo Loop trail that meanders through each area of the zoo habitats. You could expect to see grey and red foxes, white-tailed deer, alligators, bald eagles, hawks, herons and egrets, and more at the Lowcountry Zoo.

If you're lucky, you might get to see baby animals, too.

The newly-hatched Hooded Mergansers and their beautiful mama in the waterfowl aviary are my personal favorites.

As amazing an experience as the Lowcountry Zoo is, it's not the only part of Brookgreen Gardens that kids and kids-at-heart will love. The Peace Children's Garden and Children's Storybook Forest will ignite the imagination and delight the soul.

Visit the Brookgreen Gardens website for more information and for a map to help you find the areas you wish to explore. With over 9,000 acres of beauty, you could easily spend all day at Brookgreen Gardens. There's so much to enjoy after exploring perhaps the most unique of South Carolina zoos, including restaurants for grabbing a bite to eat and a gift shop.