What Is This Animal That Was Spotted Along The South Carolina Coast?

Author Phil Harris

June 5th, 2023 11:42 AM

Something unusual appeared in the water along the South Carolina coast recently and even the experts were baffled. (Photo by RomoloTavani/Getty Images)

The ocean can be a strange and scary place. You never know what might be lurking around your ankles when you get into the water at the beach. Sometimes even the experts don’t know. That was evident when something unusual appeared in the water along the South Carolina coast recently.

According to WCNC-TV, Raine McKinney was visiting Pawleys Island, South Carolina and spotted an animal moving through the water below the south causeway bridge. Not knowing what it was, McKinney sent video of the mysterious sea creature to the Charlotte television station with the hope of getting some answers.

Staff members at WCNC-TV were initially stumped so they forwarded the clip to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. From there, it went to the Marine Resources Research Institute in Charleston, South Carolina for identification of the wavy-finned swimmer.

Meanwhile, back at WCNC-TV, the staff’s guesses included a flying fish, sting ray, cuttlefish, or some sort of squid. WCNC-TV Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich finally suggested that the creature could be a sea hare or sea slug, which are typically found in warmer waters of Florida or on the West Coast. It’s possible that these marine animals could be migrating further north as water temperatures rise.

While I’m glad to know more about this critter, it still makes me think twice before getting in the ocean. You can see what had everyone so baffled in the video below.

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

US News Says This Vacation Destination Is The Best Place In South Carolina To Call Home

We love a friendly rivalry between cities. And we love to see who comes out on top in those rivalries when publications put together different lists. This time it’s the Best Places To Live. And this list comes from a reputable source- US News and World Report. As South Carolina residents we know there are plenty of fantastic places to call home in the Palmetto State. There is something for everyone. Each year US News ranks the best places to live in the US, and while two North Carolina cities made the top 10, some South Carolina cities weren’t too far behind as great cities to call home!

And the top cities to call home in South Carolina? It’s not what I would have guessed. In fact, it’s a place you probably visit, and maybe even have a vacation home at. I would have thought the bigger cities would have topped this vacation destination as a place to call home in South Carolina though. You can read all the information on the methodology US News uses in ranking cities here. Below you’ll find the top 5 places to live in South Carolina. Why seven? It’s the cities that are among the nation’s 150 most populous. You’ll also see where they stack up overall against the rest of the United States. And below that, you’ll find the top places to live in the US.

You can read the full list from US News & World Report here.

5. Columbia, SC
#92 overall Best Place To Live

Overall Score: 6.2

Quality of Life: 6.2

Value: 7.2
4. Charleston, SC
#53 Overall Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.4

Quality of Life: 6.4

Value: 6.2
3. Spartanburg, SC
#43 Overall Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.4

Quality of Life: 6.3

Value: 7.8
2. Greenville, SC
#31 Overall Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.5

Quality of Life: 6.4

Value: 7.8
1. Myrtle Beach, SC
#18 Overall Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.6

Quality of Life: 6.1

Value: 6.9
Best Places To Live In North Carolina
According to US News & World Report
7. Fayetteville
#135 Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 5.7

Quality of Life: 6.0

Value: 6.8
6. Greensboro
#72 Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 5.7

Quality of Life: 6.5

Value: 7.5
5. Winston-Salem
#41 Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.4

Quality of Life: 6.7

Value: 7.7

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4. Asheville
#29 Overall Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.5

Quality of Life: 6.8

Value: 7.0

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3. Hickory
#25 Overall Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.5

Quality of Life: 6.4

Value: 8.6

Jeff Yount
2. Charlotte
#8 Overall Best Places To Live

Overall Score: 6.7

Quality of Life: 6.4

Value: 7.0

Sean Pavone
1. Raleigh & Durham
#3 Best Places To Live Overall

Overall Score: 6.9

Quality of Life: 6.4

Value: 7.0

Sean Pavone
Top 10 Best Places To Live
10. Fayetteville, AK
Overall Score: 6.7

Quality of Life: 6.9

Value: 7.8

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9. Colorado Springs
Overall Score: 6.7

Quality of Life: 6.5

Value: 5.8

Jacob Boomsma
8. Charlotte, NC
Overall Score: 6.7

Quality of Life: 6.4

Value: 7.0

Sean Pavone
7. Portland, ME
Overall Score: 6.7

Quality of Life: 7.4

Value: 6.2

Sean Pavone
6. Naples, FL
Overall Score: 6.8

Quality of Life: 7.1

Value: 6.2

felixmizioznikov
5. Sarasota, FL
Overall Score: 6.8

Quality of Life: 7.0

Value: 6.1

KarolinaBorkowski
4. Boulder, CO
Overall Score: 6.8

Quality of Life: 7.7

Value: 5.3

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3. Raleigh & Durham, NC
Overall Score: 6.9

Quality of Life: 6.4

Value: 7.0

Sean Pavone
2. Huntsville, AL
Overall Score: 6.9

Quality of Life: 7.0

Value: 8.2

Sean Pavone
1. Green Bay, WI
Overall Score: 6.9

Quality of Life: 7.3

Value: 8.0

Jacob Boomsma