AroUnD the JerSeY Shore The Eastern Coyote – Elusive, Adaptable, And Opportunistic

By Renee A. Thomaier

Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

The Eastern Coyote is considered a wild member of the canine family. They occupy most municipalities in New Jersey. Coyotes are extremely adaptable and maintain a low profile. They are wary of people and rarely display aggressive behavior. Property damage attributable to coyotes is low. They arrived in our state approximately 80 years ago. Coyotes grow to about three to four feet in length and approximately 20-24 inches in height. The weight of a male can range between 30-45 pounds, whereas the female, between 26 and 40 pounds.

Coyotes diversify their diet and are consid- ered opportunistic omnivores, consuming small to large prey such as insects, voles, frogs, rabbits, young deer, injured deer, and raccoons. When they are unable to obtain meat, they will easily consume nuts, fruits, and eggs. Although not their fi rst choice, during lean times when natural sources are not available, they will even consume pet food and bird seed. Chances of a coyote raiding your trash can is very rare.

Coyotes live as a lifelong bonded mated pair and occasionally with those young born of that year. Mating occurs during the months of January to March and the gestation period is 60-63 days. Birthing is done in a den dug out by the female, but she often will search for an existing abandoned burrow. Four to seven pups are common but on occasion litters can range from one to twelve. Pups are weaned between five and nine weeks. Their fi rst reproductive cycle occurs at 10 months, but more often breeding occurs at two years. Their lifespan in the wild is 10-14 years.

Since the gray wolf population was extirpated from most of the northeast, coyotes fill an important ecological niche, preying on similar animals as the wolf. They thrive in suburban areas and when no top predator is present, will feed on songbirds, turtles, cats and red fox.

Possession or use of any steel-jawed leghold type traps are illegal in New Jersey. The information for this article from was gathered through multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732-244-2768.

It is illegal to possess or relocate wildlife for any reason without the proper state and/ or federal permits. Violating New Jersey laws protecting wildlife, which includes harm inflicted upon any animal, are punishable by law.

Break The Bleak Of Winter

BRICK – Are you down because of the dreary, cold, dank days of winter? Then join Angelic Health Speakers Bureau is offering Having a Bright Heart in the Bleak Midwinter February 17 1:30 p.m.

Presented by Angelic Health spiritual care staff, the program will focus on embracing time for reflection, suggestions for spiritual comfort in aging, overcoming the blues during winter feelings of isolation. Light lunch to be provided.

Registration required by February 10 by calling 732-451-6185, or email nkinnevy@angelichospice.net. All sessions will be held at Town Square at the Jersey Shore Adult Day Care and Enrichment Center Laurel Square Plaza 1930 Route 88, Brick.

Snooki Returns, Talks About Seaside Being More Family-Friendly

By Bob Vosseller

SEASIDE HEIGHTS – Customers don’t always flock to a store just because its owner will be there but when the store is The Snooki Shop, that is a whole other situation.

Snooki, born in 1987, is actually Nicole Polizzi LaVale. She appeared in the popular reality TV show “Jersey Shore” and its spinoffs “Snooki & JWoww”, and “Floribama Shore.” “Jersey Shore” was filmed in Miami Beach during its second season.

Snooki and her co-star Jennifer Lynn Farley - better known as JWoww - starred in their own show filmed at one point in Pelican Island and rented to them by borough businessman Mike Loundy who also rented the Seaside Heights beach house to the Jersey Shore crew for the original show. Pelican Island is the piece of land that you drive through after you cross the bridge to Seaside.

Snooki told Jersey Shore Online.com/ Toms River Times, “the store has been doing great. Obviously, this is my stomping grounds from “Jersey Shore.” I have two other locations, Madison New Jersey and in New York and when I thought of a third location and where I should bring it, it was Seaside.

“I love Seaside. I know everyone here. I know Mike Loundy and I saw the place open and I said, ‘Can I grab it?’ I grabbed it and I think it’s perfect,” she added.

As to some of the recent changes made within the borough including the removal of some familiar night spots of the “Jersey Shore” crew, Snooki replied, “personally, for me I’m sad that Bamboo and Karma and some of the places we used to go to are gone but now being a mom, everything has started to be more family oriented so I’m not mad over it.”

Snooki added, “everything changes.” She owns a summer home in Toms River but is enjoying her family life. She did recall her time in Pelican Island for her spinoff series. “I loved Pelican Island. It was very exclusive and quiet so it was good for my kids.”

As to her merchandise in the shop, “I wanted to keep it more Jersey Shore like my mugs that I love collecting now, me getting arrested on the beach, a lot of Jersey Shore funny stuff. I have a lot of mom stuff because I am a mom of three but I also like club attire so it is a mix everything,” she added.

Snooki said, “basically, when you come into my store you are shopping from my closet.”

Regarding motherhood, “I have 10-yearold, Lorenzo, Giovanna is 8 and my little one Angelo, is 3 so I have three little ones and I just got a dog so my house is chaotic just like any other mom,” she added with a laugh.

She was pleased with the turnout for her visit to the shop. “It was great to see my fans, my besties and it was nice to have an intimate event with all of them.”

Her appearance at her shop drew fans from as far as Pennsylvania, New York and of course north Jersey. They wanted to meet her, be photographed with her and check out what was in the boutique. They told Jersey

Shore Online.com that they were happy they made the trip.

“She was very patient and very nice,” said Madison Sanders of Staten Island, holding several bags of items she purchased.

Sanders was joined by her two friends who made the long-distance trip to meet the star and to go shopping. Alexa Agostino came out from Old Bridge. “We had to do this.

She was very nice.”

Wearing the Snooki Shop shirt for the occasion and matching Snooki’s height was Olivia Cervantes, 16, of Bensalem, Pa. who said “a lot of people call me Snooki at my school because they say I look like her.”

“She even said that too,” Cervantes added.

The series is believed to MTV’s highest rated show ever and it put the borough in an international spotlight. Not all of that spotlight was welcome however as the show featured some of the drama and violations of the law.

That included Snooki’s own beach front arrest filmed during the third season of Jersey Shore, for disorderly conduct and criminal annoyance of others. She faced recently (Snooki - See Page 31)

For Rent

Room For Rent - In Toms River, NJ. Couples allow. $1100. Call 201-844-5526. (7)

Bus Trips

Philadelphia Flower Show - Bus

Trip Sunday, March 11. $88 includes admission and bus fare. Toms River departure. Call Bill, Morano Tours, 732-278-2059 (9)

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE JEWEL-

RY Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, brica-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Junk or Wrecked Cars and Trucks

Wanted - Cash paid. 732-6577251, Steve. Thanks. (8)