Beaufort

Ecosystem Overview

The Beaufort ecosystem supports 47 documented wildlife species across 45 taxonomic genera. Located in Carteret County, North Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 10 frequently observed species and 9 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Morehead City, Beaufort hosts 262% more species diversity. This location ranks #5 for species diversity among 12 Carteret 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 Common10 species

Common14 species

Occasional14 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 12 locations

58th percentile for diversity

vs. Morehead City

+262% 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 47 total documented species.

Borrichia frutescens

sea oxeye

Very Common3 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Very Common2 obs.

Lagodon rhomboides

Porgy

Very Common2 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common2 obs.

Coryphaena hippurus

Common Dolphifish

Very Common2 obs.

Arbacia punctulata

purple-spined sea urchin

Common2 obs.

Tursiops erebennus

Common2 obs.

Leptuca pugilator

Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab

Common2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Common2 obs.

Pattalias palustris

Common2 obs.

Dione vanillae

Gulf Fritillary

Common2 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Occasional2 obs.

Stagmomantis carolina

Occasional1 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Occasional1 obs.

Pilumnus sayi

Say's Pilumnus

Occasional1 obs.

Exitianus exitiosus

Leafhopper

Occasional1 obs.

Xyphon flaviceps

yellowheaded leafhopper

Occasional1 obs.

Zelus longipes

Milkweed Assassin Bug

Rare1 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Rare1 obs.

Polistes dorsalis

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 Beaufort. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-13%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Carteret County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Morehead City

Importance: 0.42

13 species

+262% vs. current

Carteret County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-53% vs. current

Patsy Pond

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+571% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+683% vs. current

Atlantic Beach

Importance: 0.30

79 species

-41% vs. current

Newport

Importance: 0.29

28 species

+68% vs. current

Emerald Isle

Importance: 0.29

100 species

-53% vs. current

Pine Knoll Shores

Importance: 0.27

100 species

-53% 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 Carteret 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

-13%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Carteret County County, North Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Morehead City

Importance: 0.42

13 species

+262% vs. current

Carteret County

Importance: 0.41

100 species

-53% vs. current

Patsy Pond

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+571% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+683% vs. current

Atlantic Beach

Importance: 0.30

79 species

-41% vs. current

Newport

Importance: 0.29

28 species

+68% vs. current

Emerald Isle

Importance: 0.29

100 species

-53% vs. current

Pine Knoll Shores

Importance: 0.27

100 species

-53% 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 Common10 species

Common14 species

Occasional14 species

Rare9 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#5 of 12 locations

58th percentile for diversity

vs. Morehead City

+262% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 47 total documented species.

Borrichia frutescens

sea oxeye

Very Common3 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Very Common2 obs.

Lagodon rhomboides

Porgy

Very Common2 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common2 obs.

Coryphaena hippurus

Common Dolphifish

Very Common2 obs.

Arbacia punctulata

purple-spined sea urchin

Common2 obs.

Tursiops erebennus

Common2 obs.

Leptuca pugilator

Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab

Common2 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Common2 obs.

Pattalias palustris

Common2 obs.

Dione vanillae

Gulf Fritillary

Common2 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Occasional2 obs.

Stagmomantis carolina

Occasional1 obs.

Xylocopa virginica

Carpenter bee

Occasional1 obs.

Pilumnus sayi

Say's Pilumnus

Occasional1 obs.

Exitianus exitiosus

Leafhopper

Occasional1 obs.

Xyphon flaviceps

yellowheaded leafhopper

Occasional1 obs.

Zelus longipes

Milkweed Assassin Bug

Rare1 obs.

Papilio polyxenes

American Swallowtail

Rare1 obs.

Polistes dorsalis

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 47 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.