New Jersey has 2 venomous snakes named by official sources: Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake, as labelled by NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program. This guide covers 9 animal groups from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDEP Fish & Wildlife) lists and other official sources, with photos, venomous status and when each group is active.
Identification help has limits: a photo cannot confirm that an animal is safe. Watch from a distance and never handle a wild animal.
These are the animals official sources describe as venomous or as a risk to people in New Jersey, across 7 groups. The reason is given in the source's own terms.
Venomous: “In North America, only the widow spiders in the genus Latrodectus and the recluse spiders, in the genus Loxosceles are dangerous to humans.”
Disease: “Tick borne illnesses most commonly found in New Jersey are; Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.”
Invasive tick listed by NJDEP among the most commonly encountered invasive animals and pests with known impacts: “Longhorned Tick Haemaphysalis longicornis”
Disease: “Mosquitoes may carry potentially dangerous illnesses, the two most commonly found in New Jersey are; West Nile Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.”
Bears near homes and trails: “However, if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips.”
Venomous spines (NOAA): “The spines of this species deliver a venomous sting that can last for days and cause extreme pain, sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis.”
Stinging jellyfish present in Barnegat Bay and other NJ coastal waterways (NJDEP): “Sea nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha), a type of stinging jellyfish, are present in the waters of Barnegat Bay and other coastal waterways of New Jersey.”
Official sources name the recluse spiders, including the brown recluse, in connection with New Jersey, but none we use says they live there. They are not counted among the dangerous animals above.
16 nonnative animals are named on New Jersey's official lists (NJDEP). The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records 1 nonnative animal in our groups with an established population in New Jersey.
Darker cells are the months with more open-licence observation records of each group in New Jersey (GBIF). They show when people see and record these animals, not how many there are. The current month, this month, is highlighted.
Report: DEP 24-hour hotline 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337) for venomous snakes on private land, bear damage or nuisance bears, and injured or dead bobcats; report endangered, threatened and special concern wildlife (and roadkill) with the NJ Wildlife Tracker app. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife
Not established. USGS NAS lists 5 American alligator records in New Jersey (1933 Essex, 1942 Union, 2005 Middlesex, 2018 Atlantic, 2021 Middlesex): four are marked failed and the 2021 record has no status. New Jersey lists alligators as a "potentially dangerous species" that needs a permit to possess. US Geological Survey
Yes. The population has grown since the 1980s and spread south and east from northwestern New Jersey. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife
Are there black widow spiders in New Jersey?
Yes. Rutgers Cooperative Extension says widow spiders occur in every US state. It does not give a New Jersey range for each widow species. NJAES
Are there brown recluse spiders in New Jersey?
Rutgers says it is established over much of the southern US and recently in New York. NJAES
Are joro spiders in New Jersey?
A February 2026 Rutgers fact sheet says "Not in NJ yet, but is anticipated to arrive in coming years", and elsewhere calls it new to New Jersey. It calls the spider generally harmless to humans and pets. NJAES
Are there sharks off new jersey?
Yes. NJ Fish and Wildlife lists sand tiger, sandbar shark, smooth dogfish and spiny dogfish as abundant in New Jersey waters, and the white shark as rarely found. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife
Are there great white sharks in New Jersey?
Rarely. The white shark is on the state list of species rarely found in New Jersey marine waters. It is a prohibited species that anglers must release. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife
Do spotted lanternflies bite or harm people?
No. The NJ Department of Agriculture says it does not harm humans or animals. It is a serious invasive plant pest. New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Are snapping turtles dangerous in New Jersey?
The state field guide says snapping turtles on land are quite strike-prone; underwater they usually pull their heads in. NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP
Are there cuban treefrogs in New Jersey?
USGS NAS has 5 Cuban treefrog records in New Jersey from 2018 to 2024; establishment is not stated. US Geological Survey
Snakes of New Jersey (brochure). NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program. PDF Last-Modified 2021-06-23; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (14)
“This is one of two VENOMOUS SNAKES found in NJ.”
“22 species of snakes can still be found in the most densely populated state in the country.”
“Two of our snake species are venomous, the timber rattlesnake and the northern copperhead, and the remaining twenty species are non-venomous.”
“Often, the non-venomous northern water snake is misidentified as the water moccasin (cottonmouth) which does not occur in New Jersey.”
“…inhabiting NJ’s northern region extending as far south as the Sourlands of Hunterdon and Somerset counties northeast through localized areas within Somerset and north through western Bergen County”
“…three populations remain: in NJ’s northern region along the Kittatinny Ridge and within the Highlands region and in southern NJ within the Pine Barrens”
“No one has ever died from a copperhead bite in NJ. … No one has ever died from a timber rattlesnake bite in NJ.”
“If you encounter a venomous snake, you should keep a safe distance (at least 5 feet) and keep young children and pets at your side for control.”
“Call 911 immediately”
“Landowners that encounter timber rattlesnakes or northern copperheads on their property and wish to have them removed should contact ENSP immediately through the DEP Hotline: 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337)”
“Never walk barefoot!”
“…which makes it illegal for anyone to kill, collect, or harass our native snake species.”
“These snakes are the first to emerge in NJ, and can often be seen in mid-March during warm spells.”
“They give birth to 6-17 young in mid-August to early October. … Six to 10 young are born in late August”
“Black widow spiders produce venom that contains a neurotoxin.”
“The southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans) is the most notorious because of its potent venom”
“In North America, only the widow spiders in the genus Latrodectus and the recluse spiders, in the genus Loxosceles are dangerous to humans.”
“They occur in every state in the United States.”
“…is now established over much of the southern USA, and recently in New York”
Bites and Stings. NJ Poison Control Center (NJPIES), Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (4)
“Tick borne illnesses most commonly found in New Jersey are; Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.”
“Allergic reactions to these insects could be life threatening, and emergency support should be sought IMMEDIATELY.”
“Mosquitoes may carry potentially dangerous illnesses, the two most commonly found in New Jersey are; West Nile Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.”
“1. Call 1-800-222-1222”
Invasive Animals and Pests. NJDEP. archived copy, captured February 24, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (8)
“…the long sturdy tail has one or two serrated spines with mild venom.”
Lionfish Facts. NOAA National Ocean Service. updated September 23, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“The spines of this species deliver a venomous sting that can last for days and cause extreme pain, sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis.”
“Sea nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha), a type of stinging jellyfish, are present in the waters of Barnegat Bay and other coastal waterways of New Jersey.”
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