North Topsail Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The North Topsail Beach ecosystem supports 38 documented wildlife species across 37 taxonomic genera. Located in Onslow County, North Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 8 frequently observed species and 7 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Jacksonville, North Topsail Beach hosts 31% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 6 Onslow County County natural areas, placing it in the 67th 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 6 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common12 species

Occasional11 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 6 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Jacksonville

+31% 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 38 total documented species.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Very Common3 obs.

Lamarcka imbricata

Very Common3 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Very Common2 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Very Common2 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Very Common2 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Common2 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common2 obs.

Fundulus heteroclitus

Killifish

Common2 obs.

Chione elevata

Common2 obs.

Erythrodiplax berenice

Seaside Dragonlet

Common1 obs.

Chelonibia testudinaria

Common1 obs.

Clibanarius vittatus

Occasional1 obs.

Arenaeus cribrarius

Speckled Crab

Occasional1 obs.

Callinectes sapidus

blue swimming crab

Occasional1 obs.

Geukensia demissa

Ribbed Mussel

Occasional1 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Occasional1 obs.

Mulinia lateralis

dwarf surfclam

Occasional1 obs.

Dinocardium robustum

Atlantic giant cockle

Rare1 obs.

Trachycardium egmontianum

Florida Pricklycockle

Rare1 obs.

Mercenaria mercenaria

hard shell

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+36%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 5 nearby locations in Onslow County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Jacksonville

Importance: 0.43

29 species

+31% vs. current

Onslow County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-62% vs. current

Swansboro

Importance: 0.30

7 species

+443% vs. current

Richlands

Importance: 0.27

1 species

+3700% vs. current

Holly Ridge

Importance: 0.25

1 species

+3700% 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 Onslow 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

+36%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 5 nearby locations in Onslow County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Jacksonville

Importance: 0.43

29 species

+31% vs. current

Onslow County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

-62% vs. current

Swansboro

Importance: 0.30

7 species

+443% vs. current

Richlands

Importance: 0.27

1 species

+3700% vs. current

Holly Ridge

Importance: 0.25

1 species

+3700% 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 6 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common8 species

Common12 species

Occasional11 species

Rare7 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 6 locations

67th percentile for diversity

vs. Jacksonville

+31% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 38 total documented species.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Very Common3 obs.

Lamarcka imbricata

Very Common3 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Very Common2 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Very Common2 obs.

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

Very Common2 obs.

Uniola paniculata

seaside-oats

Common2 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Common2 obs.

Fundulus heteroclitus

Killifish

Common2 obs.

Chione elevata

Common2 obs.

Erythrodiplax berenice

Seaside Dragonlet

Common1 obs.

Chelonibia testudinaria

Common1 obs.

Clibanarius vittatus

Occasional1 obs.

Arenaeus cribrarius

Speckled Crab

Occasional1 obs.

Callinectes sapidus

blue swimming crab

Occasional1 obs.

Geukensia demissa

Ribbed Mussel

Occasional1 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Occasional1 obs.

Mulinia lateralis

dwarf surfclam

Occasional1 obs.

Dinocardium robustum

Atlantic giant cockle

Rare1 obs.

Trachycardium egmontianum

Florida Pricklycockle

Rare1 obs.

Mercenaria mercenaria

hard shell

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 38 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.