Hilton Head Island
Ecosystem Overview
The Hilton Head Island 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, Hilton Head Island hosts 335% more species diversity. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 17 beaufort county County natural areas, placing it in the 88th percentile for biodiversity.
Biodiversity Highlights
Species Distribution
Regional Context
Most Common Species
Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.
Limulus polyphemus
horseshoe crab
Stomolophus meleagris
cannonball jelly
Ardea alba
Great Egret
Clibanarius vittatus
Leucophaeus atricilla
Laughing Gull
Callinectes sapidus
blue swimming crab
Alligator mississippiensis
Louisiana alligator.
Ardea herodias
Great Blue Heron
Egretta thula
Snowy Egret
Armases cinereum
squareback marsh crab
Leptuca pugilator
Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab
Anhinga anhinga
Anhinga
Anolis carolinensis
Green anole
Crassostrea virginica
American oyster
Leptogorgia virgulata
colorful sea whip
Busycon carica
Knobbed Whelk
Littoraria irrorata
Egretta tricolor
Tricolor Heron
Ilyanassa obsoleta
Eastern Mudsnail
Neverita duplicata
Sharkeye Moonsnail
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Nearby Wildlife Areas in Beaufort County
Discover 8 other wildlife-rich locations near Hilton Head Island. Each offers unique biodiversity and wildlife viewing opportunities.
🌿 Premier Wildlife Areas (2 nearby)
🦅 Rich Wildlife Destinations (1 nearby)
🌱 Specialized Habitats (2 nearby)
📍 Explore These Areas (3 nearby)
Regional Wildlife Network
These nearby locations complement Hilton Head Islandwithin Beaufort County's wildlife network. Species counts reflect documented observations and help identify the most biodiverse areas for your nature explorations.