COVID-19: What We Know The SARS-COV2 virus spreads between people easily, through the respiratory droplets produced (such as in breathing or coughing). As we have practiced in the past year, masks and social distancing help slow the spread of COVID-19. Vocabulary: SARS-COV2 is the virus and it causes COVID-19, the disease. COVID-19 and Animals In some … [Read more...]
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects both wild and domestic rabbits. Until 2020, it had not been known to affect any North American native rabbits, however, cases of the disease have been reported in cottontail rabbits and hares as well as in domestic rabbits in states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New … [Read more...]
Reproduction – Amphibian Style
Spring is the time you start hearing the calls of toads and frogs. You might have even heard the Spring Peepers calling as early as March! Why do they make these sounds? What is their purpose? To find a mate! Amphibians have a variety of interesting ways of reproducing and preparing for their young. Although there are often exceptions in biology, we can start with … [Read more...]
Taking Care of your Horse in the Winter
As the weather gets colder I get more questions as to what horse owners can do to keep their horses from losing weight, how to keep them warmer, and how to go about safely riding them all winter long. Hopefully I can address some of your thoughts and concerns here before more real winter weather hits us in New Jersey. In the winter all horses need extra energy to help keep … [Read more...]
Hometown Hero: The Blue-spotted Salamander
If towns are shutting down entire roads for you, you must be important, right? Every spring in central New Jersey, temporary road closures are created to protect amphibians who migrate across roads in search of perfect mating grounds. In March and April as the temperatures warm to 40-45 degrees, amphibians including frogs and salamanders make the trek from their winter homes in … [Read more...]
The Search for Urban Snakes in NJ
Written by Tianqi Huang, a PhD student majoring in Ecology and Evolution at Rutgers University - New Brunswick , currently working on urban snake ecology. Tianqi is co-advised by Dr. Peter Morin and Dr. Sara Ruane. Nowadays, a large proportion of world’s population lives in urban areas, but we know that cities are not only home to … [Read more...]
East Brunswick, NJ Shuts Down Road For Salamander Migration
Originally posted February 11, 2020 | Updated Feb 12, 2020 at Patch.com. Re-posted with permission from author, Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff. Yup, you read that correctly. One of the earliest signs of spring in central New Jersey is the annual salamander and frog migration. EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — New Jersey residents are used to roads closing for flooding, downed trees … [Read more...]
Poachers and habitat loss are endangering these N.J. snakes. This professor works to keep the reptiles safe.
Originally posted Sep 29, 2019 at NJ.com. Re-posted with permission from author, Avalon Zoppo, NJ Advance Media. Deep in the Pine Barrens, poachers can wander for hours at a time. Their eyes scan the forest floor for dull orange, camouflaged corn snakes, a state-endangered reptile long threatened by a combination of encroaching development and collectors who sell … [Read more...]
Winter Weather Safety Tips
The temperature is dropping and there may be snow in the forecast. Everyone knows this is the time of year to bundle up, stay inside when the weather is bad, and do what we can to keep warm. But what about our dogs? Is your pet ready or even able to adapt to the cold winter weather? Some breeds hold up better than others, but all dog owners must monitor their pets closely … [Read more...]
Sheep Identification – USDA Requirements
Proper identification is an important aspect of raising sheep. Whether you are a 4-H member raising only one market lamb per year or working toward establishing your own breeding operation, you will need to know U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) identification requirements and NJ Division of Animal Health rules. Scrapie Identification is required by the USDA for almost … [Read more...]