Myrtle Beach

Ecosystem Overview

The Myrtle Beach ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 99 taxonomic genera. Located in Horry 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. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 10 Horry County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Horry County

0% 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.

Donax variabilis

coquina clam

Very Common34 obs.

Lunarca ovalis

Blood Ark

Very Common34 obs.

Anadara transversa

transverse ark

Very Common28 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Very Common10 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Very Common10 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Common9 obs.

Plicatula gibbosa

Atlantic Kitten's Paw

Common9 obs.

Crepidula fornicata

Common Atlantic Slippersnail

Common8 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common7 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common7 obs.

Neverita duplicata

Sharkeye Moonsnail

Common6 obs.

Chione elevata

Occasional6 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Occasional6 obs.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Occasional5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional5 obs.

Callucina keenae

Occasional5 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional4 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Rare4 obs.

Divalinga quadrisulcata

Cross-hatched Lucine

Rare4 obs.

Emerita talpoida

Mole Crab

Rare4 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 Myrtle Beach. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+150%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Horry County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

0% vs. current

North Myrtle Beach

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Conway

Importance: 0.38

53 species

+89% vs. current

Socastee

Importance: 0.37

11 species

+809% vs. current

Surfside Beach

Importance: 0.31

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Little River

Importance: 0.31

24 species

+317% vs. current

Garden City

Importance: 0.30

23 species

+335% vs. current

Loris

Importance: 0.30

1 species

+9900% 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 Horry 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

+150%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Horry County

Importance: 0.40

100 species

0% vs. current

North Myrtle Beach

Importance: 0.39

100 species

0% vs. current

Conway

Importance: 0.38

53 species

+89% vs. current

Socastee

Importance: 0.37

11 species

+809% vs. current

Surfside Beach

Importance: 0.31

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Little River

Importance: 0.31

24 species

+317% vs. current

Garden City

Importance: 0.30

23 species

+335% vs. current

Loris

Importance: 0.30

1 species

+9900% 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 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Horry County

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Donax variabilis

coquina clam

Very Common34 obs.

Lunarca ovalis

Blood Ark

Very Common34 obs.

Anadara transversa

transverse ark

Very Common28 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Very Common10 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Very Common10 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Common9 obs.

Plicatula gibbosa

Atlantic Kitten's Paw

Common9 obs.

Crepidula fornicata

Common Atlantic Slippersnail

Common8 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Common7 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common7 obs.

Neverita duplicata

Sharkeye Moonsnail

Common6 obs.

Chione elevata

Occasional6 obs.

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Occasional6 obs.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Occasional5 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional5 obs.

Callucina keenae

Occasional5 obs.

Anolis carolinensis

Green anole

Occasional4 obs.

Trachemys scripta

slider turtle, red-eared terrapin, red-eared slider

Rare4 obs.

Divalinga quadrisulcata

Cross-hatched Lucine

Rare4 obs.

Emerita talpoida

Mole Crab

Rare4 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.