Fort Myers Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Fort Myers Beach ecosystem supports 80 documented wildlife species across 75 taxonomic genera. Located in Lee County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 17 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Fort Myers nearby has 20% more documented species, Fort Myers Beach offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 12 Lee County County natural areas, placing it in the 58th 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

Regional Rank

Out of 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 12 locations

58th percentile for diversity

vs. Fort Myers

-20% 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 80 total documented species.

Larus fuscus

lesser black-backed gull

Very Common10 obs.

Chione elevata

Very Common8 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common6 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common5 obs.

Strombus pugilis

West Indian Fighting Conch

Very Common5 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common4 obs.

Donax variabilis

coquina clam

Common4 obs.

Anadara transversa

transverse ark

Common3 obs.

Helianthus debilis

Cucumberleaf Sunflower

Common3 obs.

Coccoloba uvifera

Seagrape

Common3 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common3 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional3 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Occasional3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional3 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional3 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional2 obs.

Mercenaria campechiensis

Südliche Quahog-Muschel

Occasional2 obs.

Mellita quinquiesperforata

Sand dollar

Rare2 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Rare2 obs.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Rare2 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 Fort Myers Beach. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+43%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lee County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Fort Myers

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-20% vs. current

Lee County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-20% vs. current

Cape Coral

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-20% vs. current

Otter Pond

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+150% vs. current

Gator Lake

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+700% vs. current

Wood Duck Pond

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1233% vs. current

Pop Ash Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2567% vs. current

Sanibel

Importance: 0.33

100 species

-20% 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 Lee 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

+43%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Lee County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Fort Myers

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-20% vs. current

Lee County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-20% vs. current

Cape Coral

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-20% vs. current

Otter Pond

Importance: 0.35

32 species

+150% vs. current

Gator Lake

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+700% vs. current

Wood Duck Pond

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1233% vs. current

Pop Ash Pond

Importance: 0.35

3 species

+2567% vs. current

Sanibel

Importance: 0.33

100 species

-20% 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

Regional Rank

Out of 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 12 locations

58th percentile for diversity

vs. Fort Myers

-20% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 80 total documented species.

Larus fuscus

lesser black-backed gull

Very Common10 obs.

Chione elevata

Very Common8 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common6 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common5 obs.

Strombus pugilis

West Indian Fighting Conch

Very Common5 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Common4 obs.

Donax variabilis

coquina clam

Common4 obs.

Anadara transversa

transverse ark

Common3 obs.

Helianthus debilis

Cucumberleaf Sunflower

Common3 obs.

Coccoloba uvifera

Seagrape

Common3 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common3 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional3 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Occasional3 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional3 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional3 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Occasional2 obs.

Mercenaria campechiensis

Südliche Quahog-Muschel

Occasional2 obs.

Mellita quinquiesperforata

Sand dollar

Rare2 obs.

Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Rare2 obs.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 80 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.