ood things come in small packages. New Jersey is proof of that. Despite being America's 5th smallest state -- only 8,200 square miles -- we have an astounding variety of wildlife.
For example, 431 bird species -- resident and migratory -- live in or visit New Jersey. This is more than any other state on the Eastern seaboard except Massachusetts and Florida. In fact, New Jersey has more avian variety than the tropical islands of Hawaii, more than Minnesota's "Land of Lakes," more than the Great Lakes region. We stand shoulder to shoulder with New York's Adirondack Mountains and Alaska's immense wilderness.
New Jersey is also home to 89 species of mammals, including black bears, long-tailed weasels, flying squirrels, bobcats, and river otters. You can find 44 species of reptiles (if you really, really, want to) including 22 kinds of snakes (only two are poisonous), and 18 kinds of turtles. Our amphibian neighbors are newts, toads, salamanders, and 14 kinds of frogs.
There are almost 90 varieties of freshwater fish (15 species of sunnies alone!) in our inland waters, and nearly the same amount frequent our surrounding bays and bights.
When you consider that New Jersey is also the state most densely populated by another animal species -- humans, nearly 8 million of us -- you can't help wonder, "in a tiny, urban state like ours, how is this grand diversity possible?"
The answer is simple: New Jersey's inviting environment is the result of a unique combination of geology and weather. Together they have created immensely productive and varied wildlife habitat throughout the state. The formation of all this wonderful habitat had its beginnings early in geological time.
All of New Jersey's largest lakes, Hopatcong, Greenwood, and Budd Lake, were formed by the gouging action of passing glaciers. It's no accident that most of New Jersey's big lakes are in the north, where most of this action took place!
In all, over 800 lakes and ponds decorate the landscape and over 100 rivers and streams wind through our state. Each one has its own interdependent wildlife community.
Former lake beds also make wonderful habitat. Glacial Lake Hackensack is now the Hackensack Meadowlands. Glacial Lake Passaic became the Great Swamp and Troy Meadows. Driving through or past these urban wild areas doesn't tell the whole story. A birds-eye view shows them off for what they are -lush, wetland habitat teeming with food and opportunities.
New Jersey's Atlantic coastline, all 127 miles of it, is part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain -- formed by millions of years of ocean currents and sedimentation. Our coastal location increases our wildlife counts by adding saltwater species (and their predators) to our lists. Whales, dolphins, and seals are commonly sighted off our coast.
New Jersey has dozens of extraordinary areas called estuaries where rivers pour into the ocean. Estuaries are second only to rain forests in their biological diversity and food production.
The Highlands, Watchung Mountains and other mountain systems were formed by upheavals and pressures so great, the Earth churned and folded over on itself. The resulting higher elevations encouraged wildlife species with a fondness for penthouse views to homestead in New Jersey.
The Pine Barrens are recognized worldwide as a significant natural area for its many rare and exceptional flora and fauna. It also has a remarkable fire-dependent ecology that is both a wonder of nature, and threat to surrounding human communities.
New Jersey has a "continental climate" -- meaning, there is a significant difference in temperature between summer and winter months, and a measurable difference in daily temperature fluctuations as well. Seasonal, prevailing winds vary from moist and tropical to cold and bitter. What's more, our climate evolved into four distinct seasons -- providing four windows of opportunity for wildlife to choose from to establish their life cycles.
New Jersey is a byway for all kinds of travelers, finned, furry and feathered. The Atlantic Flyway is used by hundreds of species of migrating birds, many of which are endangered or threatened. Monarch butterflies yearly cross our state on their pilgrimage to winter homes in Mexico. The Hudson and Delaware Rivers still have annual spring shad runs.
And -- as they say in real estate, location, location, location. New Jersey is the northernmost edge of range for many southern species, and the southernmost edge of range for many northern species. As a result, we have large numbers of "tourists."
Our former wildlife is rich and varied, too. The off-again-on-again submergence of the state under rolling, young oceans has left sediments containing a treasure chest of fossils. We even have our own state dinosaur - Hadrosaurus Foulkii.
Finally, the rainfall: we have above average precipitation, keeping our Garden State very, very, green, and ensuring a delectable and intricate food chain.
It should be obvious by now that New Jersey is far more than the Garden State -- it is a precious Garden of Eden in the middle of an increasingly urbanized, metropolitan corridor.
Wild Ideas will take a regular walk through the Garden. Join me and learn about the wild things right here in New Jersey, right here in our own backyard.

Wondering what lives here? Try these sites for checlists of species in the Garden State. Start your own life list today -- how many have you seen?

• Birds: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/chkbirds.htm
• Mammals: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/chkmamls.htm
• Reptiles: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/chkrept.htm
• Amphibians: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/chkamph.htm