Santa Cruz
Ecosystem Overview
The Santa Cruz ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 90 taxonomic genera. Located in santa cruz county, california, 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 Schwan Lagoon, Santa Cruz hosts 400% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 15 santa cruz county County natural areas, placing it in the 87th percentile for biodiversity.
Biodiversity Highlights
Species Distribution
Regional Context
Most Common Species
Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.
Pisaster ochraceus
ochre stars
Anthopleura sola
sun anemone
Anthopleura elegantissima
aggregating anemone
Anthopleura xanthogrammica
giant green sea anemone
Mytilus californianus
common mussel
Pachygrapsus crassipes
striped shore crab
Larus occidentalis
Western Gull
Zalophus californianus
California Sealion
Pollicipes polymerus
Anthopleura artemisia
moonglow anemone
Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown Pelican (Southern)
Danaus plexippus
monarch
Tetraclita rubescens
Tegula funebralis
black tegula
Egretta thula
Snowy Egret
Lottia gigantea
owl limpet
Phragmatopoma californica
Hiatella arctica
Wrinkled Rock Borer
Pseudacris regilla
Pacific chorus frog
Chondracanthus canaliculatus
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Nearby Wildlife Areas in Santa Cruz County
Discover 8 other wildlife-rich locations near Santa Cruz. Each offers unique biodiversity and wildlife viewing opportunities.
🦅 Rich Wildlife Destinations (1 nearby)
🌱 Specialized Habitats (4 nearby)
📍 Explore These Areas (3 nearby)
Regional Wildlife Network
These nearby locations complement Santa Cruzwithin Santa Cruz County's wildlife network. Species counts reflect documented observations and help identify the most biodiverse areas for your nature explorations.