3+ mon, 3+ week ago   (253+ words) BELMAR — A large section of this Monmouth County beach is closed to humans as protected birds enjoy time in the sun. According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, one pair of American Oystercatchers has claimed the chunk of Belmar…...

4+ mon, 3+ day ago   (550+ words) It could be one of your worst nightmares. You're enjoying a summer day in the water when you feel something brush past your leg. You turn, and there's a snake. While the chances of that scenario playing out are highly…...

4+ mon, 1+ week ago   (307+ words) Timber rattlesnakes are strictly protected in New Jersey. The northern pine snake looks dramatic but defends itself by bluffing and hissing loudly, rather than using venom. Many adults reach 4 to 6 feet long and show bold dark blotches over a light…...

5+ mon, 1+ week ago   (162+ words) With the arrival of spring, it's not just us humans who are roaming about more after a long winter. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has issued a warning to remind residents that black bears are emerging from…...

11+ mon, 2+ week ago   (784+ words) Though conservation efforts have helped to improve piping plover pairings, researchers say fledgling numbers are not keeping pace. Piping plovers, which hide along coastal areas aided by their camouflaged sandy-colored backs, are difficult to spot until their little orange legs…...