New Jersey Wildlife

New Jersey is home to over 1000 different species of animal wildlife and is one of the most biologically diverse states in the country. Its many ecosystems of coastal marine areas, pine forests, upland hardwood forests, fresh and salt water marshes as well as its 1000’s of lakes and rivers lakes provide habitats for the states many wild animals.

Mammals - New Jersey has more white tailed deer per square mile than anywhere else in North America. Black Bears live mostly in its Northwest region but have been sighted in all 21 of NJ’s counties. Suburban dwellers can always see rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, hedgehogs, and an occasional fox or coyote. Hikers always come across deer and often see fox, raccoons, beaver, and woodchuck. If they are lucky (or unlucky), they might spot a black bear or skunk. Almost 100 different species of mammals live in New Jersey. Marine mammals seen along the Jersey coastline include whales and dolphins.

Birds - NJ is home to over 350 different species of birds, and is an important stopover for bird migration along the East Coast. Bald Eagles have been sighted in 16 of NJ’s 21 counties. The states official bald eagle count now stands at almost 300. White and blue herons are commonly found in or near the states rivers and canals. The Red Cardinal can be seen everywhere in the state. The State Bird of New Jersey is the colorful American Goldfinch.

Reptiles - NJ is home to 43 different species of snakes, turtles, and lizards. The Northern black racer and black rat snake are the states largest snakes at over 6 feet, both are found throughout the state. The Northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake are two venomous snakes found in NJ. The Snapping Turtle is the largest and most common turtle in NJ, they grow to 14 inches, and their range is throughout the entire state.

Amphibians - 36 different species of frogs, salamander, and toad live in NJ. With 13 different species of frogs the most colorful and well know is the Pine Barrens Tree Frog. Bullfrogs that grow up to six inches are found throughout the state. The Eastern tiger salamander is the states largest. It grows to over eight inches, they are found in South Jersey.

Fish - The New Jersey coastline is home to over 300 species of marine fish. Saltwater fish off the NJ coast include sea bass, fluke, swordfish, sturgeon, cod, tuna, eel, marlin, and shark. Thousands of fishing ponds and lakes, as well as 100’s of rivers provide ample habitat for 134 species of freshwater fish in NJ. Its lakes are known for bass, pickerel, sunfish, and carp. Rivers carry catfish, trout, shad, striper, and muskellunge. Some of the best fresh water fishing in the North America can be found in New Jersey.

Northern Pine Snake

NJ Wildlife Videos (YouTube Playlist)

Biologists study crayfish in NJ’s rivers, and the monarch butterfly migration in Cape May. In the NJ Pinelands, watch a northern pine snake as it slithers across Lake Chatsworth and a Pine Barrens Tree Frog giving its mating call. A hiker discovers turtles. A family comes home to find five Black Bear cubs playing in their front yard. Beautiful flocks of Snow Geese at the Forsythe NWR in South Jersey. There are two videos about Bald Eagles in NJ, and two more about dolphin watching and hawk watching in Cape May, NJ.