Clean Ocean Advocate, February 2010
December's creature, a narrow bait fish that buries into the sand, was the sand lance (or sand eel) (Ammodytes spp.). In the fall, sand lances appear in high numbers along New Jersey beaches and in Sandy Hook Bay.
Acres of turbulent waters were seen in the bay last October, as bluefish and hundreds of birds pursued the numerous sand lances. The sand lance spawns typically at inshore sandy regions from November to March. Judge Bay Striper thanks all who submitted guesses and congratulates the contest winner Ray Dodd of Neptune, New Jersey!
February's creature feature is a marine mammal that has been spotted wintering in the Hudson River estuary and Jersey shore where it hauls-out to rest on beaches, rocky areas, logs, or ice floats. Its scientific name means "hooked-nose pig of the sea." Its snout can be used to distinguish it from other species of this animal type and this creature can hold its breath for over an hour! For a chance to win a COA T-shirt, submit your guess to:
Judge Amber Jack by mail, fax or email 18 Hartshorne Dr., Suite 2, Highlands, NJ 07732 F: 732-872-8041 E:science@CleanOceanAction.org or visit CleanOceanAction.org. Only one entry per person please.
(Coastal Creature Feature appears every other month in the Clean Ocean Advocate.)
PLEASE NOTE: Please only complete and send the following online form ONCE. After clicking "Here's my guess," a new window will appear saying "Thank you for your input!" Your form has been submitted and received; please do not click "Here's my guess" or fill out the form again. The page will reload/refresh.
