Cocoa

Ecosystem Overview

The Cocoa ecosystem supports 31 documented wildlife species across 30 taxonomic genera. Located in Brevard County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 7 frequently observed species and 6 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Brevard County nearby has 69% more documented species, Cocoa offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #11 for species diversity among 20 Brevard County County natural areas, placing it in the 45th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 20 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 20 locations

45th percentile for diversity

vs. Brevard County

-69% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 31 total documented species.

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Tree Duck

Very Common3 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common3 obs.

Apalone ferox

Florida Softshell Turtle

Very Common2 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Very Common2 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Very Common2 obs.

Pleopeltis michauxiana

Common2 obs.

Syntomeida epilais

Polka-Dot Wasp Moth

Common1 obs.

Proxys punctulatus

Common1 obs.

Sigmodon hispidus

Hispid Cotton Rat

Common1 obs.

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Common1 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common1 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional1 obs.

Corvus ossifragus

fish crow

Occasional1 obs.

Lanius ludovicianus

Loggerhead Shrike

Occasional1 obs.

Alopochen aegyptiaca

Egyptian Goose

Occasional1 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Occasional1 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Occasional1 obs.

Ximenia americana

yellow-plum

Rare1 obs.

Sphagneticola trilobata

Bay biscayne creeping-oxeye

Rare1 obs.

Garberia heterophylla

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Cocoa. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-57%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Brevard County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Brevard County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-69% vs. current

Melbourne

Importance: 0.45

72 species

-57% vs. current

Palm Bay

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-69% vs. current

Titusville

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-69% vs. current

Cocoa Beach

Importance: 0.38

67 species

-54% vs. current

Cape Canaveral

Importance: 0.37

29 species

+7% vs. current

Fox Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-69% vs. current

Tidal Cove

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+182% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Brevard County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-57%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Brevard County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Brevard County

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-69% vs. current

Melbourne

Importance: 0.45

72 species

-57% vs. current

Palm Bay

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-69% vs. current

Titusville

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-69% vs. current

Cocoa Beach

Importance: 0.38

67 species

-54% vs. current

Cape Canaveral

Importance: 0.37

29 species

+7% vs. current

Fox Lake

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-69% vs. current

Tidal Cove

Importance: 0.35

11 species

+182% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#11

Regional Rank

Out of 20 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#11 of 20 locations

45th percentile for diversity

vs. Brevard County

-69% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 31 total documented species.

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Tree Duck

Very Common3 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Very Common3 obs.

Apalone ferox

Florida Softshell Turtle

Very Common2 obs.

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

Very Common2 obs.

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

Very Common2 obs.

Pleopeltis michauxiana

Common2 obs.

Syntomeida epilais

Polka-Dot Wasp Moth

Common1 obs.

Proxys punctulatus

Common1 obs.

Sigmodon hispidus

Hispid Cotton Rat

Common1 obs.

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

Common1 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Common1 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional1 obs.

Corvus ossifragus

fish crow

Occasional1 obs.

Lanius ludovicianus

Loggerhead Shrike

Occasional1 obs.

Alopochen aegyptiaca

Egyptian Goose

Occasional1 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Occasional1 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Occasional1 obs.

Ximenia americana

yellow-plum

Rare1 obs.

Sphagneticola trilobata

Bay biscayne creeping-oxeye

Rare1 obs.

Garberia heterophylla

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 31 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.