Beaufort County

Ecosystem Overview

The Beaufort County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 94 taxonomic genera. Located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Beaufort, Beaufort County hosts 335% more species diversity. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 17 Beaufort County County natural areas, placing it in the 82th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 17 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 17 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. Beaufort

+335% 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 100 total documented species.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Very Common123 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Very Common82 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common74 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common72 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Very Common68 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Common66 obs.

Callinectes sapidus

blue swimming crab

Common62 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common62 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common60 obs.

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

Common59 obs.

Egretta tricolor

Tricolor Heron

Common58 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Occasional57 obs.

Anhinga anhinga

Anhinga

Occasional53 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Occasional53 obs.

Clibanarius vittatus

Occasional53 obs.

Armases cinereum

squareback marsh crab

Occasional51 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional48 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Rare46 obs.

Leptuca pugilator

Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab

Rare44 obs.

Leptogorgia virgulata

colorful sea whip

Rare42 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 County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+178%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Beaufort County County, South Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Beaufort

Importance: 0.43

23 species

+335% vs. current

Hilton Head Island

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Port Royal

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Oak Creek

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+355% vs. current

Braddock Cove

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% vs. current

Harbour Town Marina

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Skull Creek

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+900% vs. current

Lake Joe

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% 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 Beaufort 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

100

Species Count

+178%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Beaufort County County, South Carolina

Nearby Natural Areas

Beaufort

Importance: 0.43

23 species

+335% vs. current

Hilton Head Island

Importance: 0.42

100 species

0% vs. current

Port Royal

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Oak Creek

Importance: 0.35

22 species

+355% vs. current

Braddock Cove

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% vs. current

Harbour Town Marina

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+669% vs. current

Skull Creek

Importance: 0.35

10 species

+900% vs. current

Lake Joe

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 17 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 17 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. Beaufort

+335% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Limulus polyphemus

horseshoe crab

Very Common123 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Very Common82 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Louisiana alligator.

Very Common74 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Very Common72 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Very Common68 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Common66 obs.

Callinectes sapidus

blue swimming crab

Common62 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common62 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common60 obs.

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

Common59 obs.

Egretta tricolor

Tricolor Heron

Common58 obs.

Eudocimus albus

White Ibis / American White Ibis

Occasional57 obs.

Anhinga anhinga

Anhinga

Occasional53 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Occasional53 obs.

Clibanarius vittatus

Occasional53 obs.

Armases cinereum

squareback marsh crab

Occasional51 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional48 obs.

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

Rare46 obs.

Leptuca pugilator

Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab

Rare44 obs.

Leptogorgia virgulata

colorful sea whip

Rare42 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.