South Carolina designated the white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus) as official state animal in 1972. An animal of incredible beauty and power, white-tailed deer are able to run up to 40 miles per hour, jump 9 foot fences, and swim 13 miles per hour.

The white underside of the deer's tail waves when running and is flashed as a warning when danger is sensed. Both native Americans and settlers relied on the white-tailed deer for buckskin and food.

Eleven states have designated the white-tailed deer as a state symbol: Arkansas - Illinois - Michigan - Mississippi - Nebraska - New Hampshire - Ohio - Oklahoma - Pennsylvania - South Carolina - Wisconsin.

Source:

State Symbols & Emblems of South Carolina: SC Legislature
State Animal - The Whitetail Deer: SC Legislature Online
White-tailed Deer: National Wildlife Federation
White-tailed Deer: Animal Diversity Web; U of Michigan

Links:

White-tailed Deer: Nature Works
Forest Foods Deer Eat: MI Dept of Natural Resources
Free Photos: Nature of New England
State Animals - Mammals: 50 States List