Carteret County

Ecosystem Overview

The Carteret County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 98 taxonomic genera. Located in Carteret County, North 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 Morehead City, Carteret County hosts 669% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 12 Carteret County County natural areas, placing it in the 92th 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 12 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Morehead City

+669% 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.

Neoterebra dislocata

Very Common59 obs.

Argopecten gibbus

Calico scallop

Very Common52 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Very Common49 obs.

Dinocardium robustum

Atlantic giant cockle

Very Common45 obs.

Neverita duplicata

Sharkeye Moonsnail

Very Common38 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Common37 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common34 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Common31 obs.

Pinus palustris

longleaf pine

Common27 obs.

Ocypode quadrata

Atlantic ghost crab

Common26 obs.

Busycon carica

Knobbed Whelk

Common25 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional25 obs.

Lamarcka imbricata

Occasional24 obs.

Lunarca ovalis

Blood Ark

Occasional24 obs.

Pagurus longicarpus

Long-Clawed Hermit Crab

Occasional23 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Occasional23 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Occasional22 obs.

Anadara brasiliana

Rare21 obs.

Graptacme eborea

ivory tuskshell

Rare20 obs.

Geukensia demissa

Ribbed Mussel

Rare20 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 Carteret County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+108%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Morehead City

Importance: 0.42

13 species

+669% vs. current

Beaufort

Importance: 0.42

47 species

+113% vs. current

Patsy Pond

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Atlantic Beach

Importance: 0.30

79 species

+27% vs. current

Newport

Importance: 0.29

28 species

+257% vs. current

Emerald Isle

Importance: 0.29

100 species

0% vs. current

Pine Knoll Shores

Importance: 0.27

100 species

0% 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

100

Species Count

+108%

vs. Regional Average

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

Nearby Natural Areas

Morehead City

Importance: 0.42

13 species

+669% vs. current

Beaufort

Importance: 0.42

47 species

+113% vs. current

Patsy Pond

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+1329% vs. current

Lily Pond

Importance: 0.35

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Atlantic Beach

Importance: 0.30

79 species

+27% vs. current

Newport

Importance: 0.29

28 species

+257% vs. current

Emerald Isle

Importance: 0.29

100 species

0% vs. current

Pine Knoll Shores

Importance: 0.27

100 species

0% 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 12 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 12 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Morehead City

+669% species diversity

Most Common Species

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

Neoterebra dislocata

Very Common59 obs.

Argopecten gibbus

Calico scallop

Very Common52 obs.

Crassostrea virginica

American oyster

Very Common49 obs.

Dinocardium robustum

Atlantic giant cockle

Very Common45 obs.

Neverita duplicata

Sharkeye Moonsnail

Very Common38 obs.

Oliva sayana

lettered olive

Common37 obs.

Stomolophus meleagris

cannonball jelly

Common34 obs.

Noetia ponderosa

Ponderous Ark

Common31 obs.

Pinus palustris

longleaf pine

Common27 obs.

Ocypode quadrata

Atlantic ghost crab

Common26 obs.

Busycon carica

Knobbed Whelk

Common25 obs.

Leucophaeus atricilla

Laughing Gull

Occasional25 obs.

Lamarcka imbricata

Occasional24 obs.

Lunarca ovalis

Blood Ark

Occasional24 obs.

Pagurus longicarpus

Long-Clawed Hermit Crab

Occasional23 obs.

Calidris alba

sanderling

Occasional23 obs.

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

Occasional22 obs.

Anadara brasiliana

Rare21 obs.

Graptacme eborea

ivory tuskshell

Rare20 obs.

Geukensia demissa

Ribbed Mussel

Rare20 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.