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Checklists of NJ Wildlife

There are approximately 450 species of vertebrate wildlife which can be found within the Garden State, along with 85 freshwater fish. Our bays, estuaries and marine waters can be home to 28 marine mammals and 336 marine finfish at some point during the year. This is an exceptional number of species for a state as small as New Jersey. This incredible wildlife diversity is due in part to New Jersey's geographic position within North America. Our state lies at the southern edge of the range for many "northern" species and at the northern edge of the range of many "southern" species. New Jersey's geographic position, varied landscapes and vegetation, and having hundreds of miles of coastline provide a splendid variety of habitats which support our diverse and abundant wildlife resource.

Click below for the checklist of species you wish to view:

Checklist for freshwater fish
Checklist for saltwater fish

Species in New Jersey are generally classified as follows:

Endangered: Applies to a species whose prospects for survival within the state are in immediate danger due to one or several factors, such as loss or degradation of habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease or environmental pollution, etc. An endangered species likely requires immediate action to avoid extinction within NJ.

Threatened: Applies to species that may become Endangered if conditions surrounding it begin to or continue to deteriorate. Thus, a Threatened species is one that is already vulnerable as a result of, for example, small population size, restricted range, narrow habitat affinities, significant population decline, etc.

Species of Special Concern: Applies to species that warrant special attention because of some evidence of decline, inherent vulnerability to environmental deterioration, or habitat modification that would result in their becoming a Threatened species. This category would also be applied to species that meet the foregoing criteria and for which there is little understanding of their current population status in the state.

Regional Priority: Applies to species in regional conservation plans, such as Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plans, North American Waterbird Conservation Plans, United States Shorebird Conservation Plan, and others.

Stable (or increasing): Applies to species that appear to be secure in NJ and not in danger of falling into any of the preceding the categories in the near future.

Undetermined: A species about which there is not enough information available to determine the status.

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Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2012
Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: January 19, 2012