Alligator Gar [5 inch]

The Alligator Gar is one of the largest and most fascinating freshwater fish in North America. Here’s a quick overview:

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🐊 Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)

Appearance:
• Named for its alligator-like snout filled with sharp, double rows of teeth.
• Has a long, torpedo-shaped body covered in diamond-shaped, bony scales (ganoid scales).
• Color: Typically dark olive green to brown on top, fading to a lighter underside.

Size:
• Can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) and weigh over 300 pounds (140 kg).
• Average adult size: 4–6 feet.

Habitat:
• Found in slow-moving rivers, bayous, lakes, and brackish coastal waters.
• Native to the southeastern United States, especially in the Mississippi River basin.

Diet:
• Carnivorous predator: eats fish, waterfowl, small mammals, and even crustaceans.
• Known as an ambush predator, striking quickly from cover.

Lifespan:
• Can live up to 50–100 years in the wild.

Interesting Facts:
• One of the oldest fish species alive today — often called a “living fossil”.
• It can breathe both air and water using a vascularized swim bladder.
• Considered both a sportfish and a conservation concern in some areas due to overfishing.