The West Gulf Coast is bordered along its shores by salt marshes characterized by the marsh grass Spartina. The Vertisols are clayey soils that form wide, deep cracks when dry. Inceptisols on floodplains of the major streams are among the better soils for crops. Whitetail deer and cottontail rabbits are widespread. When deciduous trees are present on uplands, the fox squirrel is common.
Gray squirrels live along intersecting drainages.
Raccoon and fox inhabit the whole region and are hunted in many areas. Among mammals frequently encountered in the western part of this province is the nine-banded armadillo. The eastern wild turkey, bobwhite, and mourning dove are widespread. The red-cockaded woodpecker is an endangered species. Forest snakes include cottonmouth moccasin, copperhead, rough green snake, rat snake, coachwhip, and speckled kingsnake.