Fish
Only a small number of fish species can reproduce and thrive in the region because of its naturally acidic waters. Species found in
the Pine Barrens are banded sunfish, blackbanded sunfish, pirate perch, mud sunfish, swamp darter and yellow bullhead. Species
found in the Pine Barrens and elsewhere in New Jersey are American eel, bluespotted sunfish, eastern mudminnow, redfin pickerel,
chain pickerel, creek chubsucker and tadpole madtom.
www.sparkexploreocean.com 25
Mammals
Mammals in the Pine Barrens include white-tailed deer,
coyotes, bobcats, beavers and river otters. Red and gray
foxes, minks, long-tailed weasels, southern bog lemmings,
eight species of bats, as well as raccoons, muskrats, various
squirrels, chipmunks, voles and mice make their homes in
there as well.
Birds
The forests and swamps of the Pine Barrens provide a
nesting habitat for approximately 144 species of birds,
including wood warblers and other songbirds. The Pine
Barrens is an important area for breeding, feeding, nesting
and resting for a variety of waterfowl, such as ducks and
geese, and magnificent raptors, such as the bald eagle,
redshouldered hawk and osprey.
Amphibians
The Pine Barrens is the global stronghold for the Pine
Barrens tree frog, which uses ponds for breeding. Residential
development and farming in the Pinelands often result in
changes to the chemistry of the breeding habitats of these
animals and an influx of non-native species that can displace
them. The presence of carpenter frogs, another characteristic
Pine Barrens species, indicates a healthy aquatic wildlife
community. Some of the other more visible and well-known
frog species of the Pine Barrens are the green frog and the
southern leopard frog.
Reptiles
The timber rattlesnake is the only venomous species in the
Pine Barrens. The northern pine snake can be found in pocket
populations within the area. Similarly, the Pine Barrens hosts
the northernmost population of the corn snake. The most
common snake in the region may be the northern water snake,
and the most famous is the puff adder, which spreads its neck,
cobra-like, when alarmed.
/www.sparkexploreocean.com
