Wild turkeys inhabit the forests of the gorges, and the visitor may chance to observe a group of these wily birds gliding high overhead from one ridgetop to another - a unique and thrilling sight. The wood frog, more commonly known in the Great North Woods, breeds in the Jocassee area in winter during the first mild rain. The loud, nonmusical calls can be heard in the winter woods. The pine snake is a large constrictor related to the bull snake of the western states. It can be found in the lower regions of the Jocassee escarpment area.
Bobcats are one of the largest predators of the area.
Though they are seldom seen, they occur in abundance in the many forest community types around Jocassee Gorges. The forest coves of the area contain an abundance of native wildflowers, including various species of trilliums, orchids and many species largely restricted to this area. Oconee bells, a beautiful area wildflower, grows only in the Jocassee area and in a few counties in the North Carolina foothills. Visitors can see the flowers in abundance at Devils Fork State Park. Its blooming period is typically mid-March to early April.