New Jersey gardens host creatures that are protected by law, whether you spot them often or rarely. These 12 species must be left undisturbed to preserve local ecosystems.
Knowing which ones they are keeps gardeners safe and compliant. Learn who shares your garden so you can care for them properly.
1. Eastern Box Turtle
These slow-moving reptiles are considered threatened in New Jersey, making it illegal to relocate or harm them. Their distinctive domed shells with yellow-orange patterns make them easy to identify.
Box turtles can live up to 100 years and help control garden pests naturally. If you spot one in your New Jersey garden, consider yourself lucky and let it continue its journey.
2. Northern Bat
Flying through New Jersey nights, these furry mammals are your natural mosquito control squad. Recent population declines from white-nose syndrome have led to strict protection laws.
A single bat can consume thousands of insects nightly! Garden-friendly New Jerseyans often install bat houses to encourage these beneficial creatures to stick around their properties.
3. American Toad
Got slugs? American toads are your garden’s best defense! These warty amphibians feast on countless insects and are protected under New Jersey wildlife regulations.
Creating a small, shallow water feature in your garden might attract these beneficial creatures. Many New Jersey gardeners build toad houses using overturned flower pots to provide shelter for these valuable pest controllers.
4. Monarch Butterfly
With their striking orange and black wings, monarchs grace New Jersey gardens during migration seasons. Their populations have plummeted by over 80% in recent decades, earning them special protection.
Garden enthusiasts across the Garden State plant milkweed specifically to support these iconic insects. The caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed plants, making this relationship critical to their survival.
5. Eastern Garter Snake
Don’t panic if you spot this slender, striped reptile! Garter snakes are non-venomous and protected in New Jersey gardens. They’re actually valuable allies that control rodent and insect populations.
Many New Jersey gardeners create rock piles or leave areas of taller grass specifically to attract these helpful predators. Despite their sometimes startling appearance, these snakes pose no threat to humans or pets.
6. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
These tiny aerial acrobats with emerald feathers and ruby throats are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They pollinate flowers while consuming nectar and tiny insects in New Jersey gardens.
Removing a hummingbird nest is strictly prohibited in the Garden State, even after the birds appear to have left. Many nests are reused or contain late-season eggs that might go unnoticed by casual observers.
7. Bumble Bee
These fuzzy, yellow-striped pollinators are vital for garden productivity and protected by New Jersey’s pollinator protection laws. Their distinctive buzz comes from vibrating wings that shake pollen loose from flowers.
Garden centers throughout New Jersey now promote bee-friendly practices and plants. Unlike honeybees, bumble bees are native to North America and have evolved alongside our local plant species.
8. Eastern Chipmunk
Despite their occasional bulb-stealing habits, these striped ground-dwellers are protected wildlife in New Jersey. Their burrows aerate soil and their seed-caching behavior actually helps with plant dispersal.
Many New Jersey gardeners have made peace with these cute creatures by designating chipmunk-friendly zones away from prized plantings. Their cheek pouches can expand to three times the size of their heads for carrying seeds!
9. Northern Cardinal
The brilliant red males and olive-brown females with red accents are year-round residents in New Jersey gardens. Protected under federal law, it’s illegal to disturb their nests or capture these beautiful songbirds.
Garden enthusiasts across the Garden State provide black oil sunflower seeds to attract these stunning birds. Their cheerful whistling brings joy through all seasons, even brightening winter gardens with splashes of crimson.
10. Spring Peeper Frog
These tiny amphibians with their distinctive X-marking are protected in New Jersey wetlands and gardens. Their chorus announces spring’s arrival with high-pitched peeping calls that can be heard from surprising distances.
Many Garden State homeowners create small rain gardens to support these beneficial creatures. Despite being smaller than a quarter, these mighty frogs consume significant numbers of mosquitoes and other problematic garden insects.
11. Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
While they may nibble your lettuce, these fluffy-tailed mammals are protected wildlife in New Jersey. Moving them requires special permits, even when they’re sampling your vegetable garden.
Gardeners throughout the Garden State have learned to coexist by using protective fencing around edible plants. Their droppings actually make excellent fertilizer, returning valuable nutrients to your garden soil.
12. Praying Mantis
With their triangular heads and folded front legs, these fascinating insects are beneficial predators protected in New Jersey gardens. They consume aphids, caterpillars, and other pests that damage plants.
Garden supply stores across the Garden State even sell mantis egg cases for natural pest control. Their remarkable camouflage and patience make them fascinating garden allies that help maintain ecological balance.