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Locations in Santa Cruz County, California

Species in Santa Cruz County

Common Species in Santa Cruz County

Showing 15 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Pisaster ochraceus

Pisaster ochraceus

ochre stars

Very Common450 obs.
Anthopleura sola

Anthopleura sola

sun anemone

Very Common268 obs.
Anthopleura elegantissima

Anthopleura elegantissima

aggregating anemone

Very Common213 obs.
Anthopleura xanthogrammica

Anthopleura xanthogrammica

giant green sea anemone

Very Common211 obs.
Mytilus californianus

Mytilus californianus

common mussel

Common146 obs.
Pachygrapsus crassipes

Pachygrapsus crassipes

striped shore crab

Common143 obs.
Larus occidentalis

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common138 obs.
Zalophus californianus

Zalophus californianus

California Sealion

Common129 obs.
Pollicipes polymerus

Pollicipes polymerus

Occasional109 obs.
Anthopleura artemisia

Anthopleura artemisia

moonglow anemone

Occasional102 obs.
Pelecanus occidentalis

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Occasional100 obs.
Danaus plexippus

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Occasional98 obs.
Tetraclita rubescens

Tetraclita rubescens

Occasional90 obs.
Tegula funebralis

Tegula funebralis

black tegula

Rare84 obs.
Egretta thula

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Rare81 obs.

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Natural Areas & Wildlife Locations in Santa Cruz County

Explore 36 documented locations in Santa Cruz County, California. Each area offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities with varying biodiversity levels.

🌿 High Biodiversity Hotspots (2 locations)

Santa Cruz

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Capitola

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

🦅 Wildlife Viewing Areas (3 locations)

Scotts Valley

A productive wildlife area hosting 85 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

85
species

Antonelli Pond

A productive wildlife area hosting 39 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

39
species

Schwan Lagoon

A productive wildlife area hosting 20 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

20
species

🌱 Emerging & Specialized Areas (10 locations)

Two Moon Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 5 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

5
species

Moran Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 4 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

4
species

Duck Island Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Pinto Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Covered Bridge Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 2 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

2
species

Loch Lomond Reservoir

An emerging wildlife area with 2 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

2
species

College Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Kelly Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Laguna De Las Trancas

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Mill Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

📍 Additional Locations (21 locations)

Buzzard Lagoon

Explore for wildlife potential

Corralitos Lagoon

Explore for wildlife potential

Duck Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Historic Cowell Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

King's Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Koi Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Lagoon

Explore for wildlife potential

Lake Lompico

Explore for wildlife potential

Little Basin Reservoir (closed)

Explore for wildlife potential

Rudy Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Simas Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Soda Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Clar Innis

Explore for wildlife potential

Santa Cruz Ranch Rv Park

Near Scotts Valley
Explore for wildlife potential

Scotts Valley Mobile Home Park

Near Scotts Valley
Explore for wildlife potential

Rose Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

Sempervirens Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

University Of California Santa Cruz

Near Santa Cruz
Explore for wildlife potential

University Of California Santa Cruz

Near Santa Cruz
Explore for wildlife potential

University Of California Santa Cruz

Near Santa Cruz
Explore for wildlife potential

University Of California Santa Cruz

Near Santa Cruz
Explore for wildlife potential

About Wildlife Data

Species counts represent documented wildlife observations from citizen science contributions. Higher counts often indicate areas with diverse habitats, active monitoring, or significant ecological importance. Each location offers unique opportunities to connect with Santa Cruz County's natural heritage.

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