Alligator Gar by danapommet

Photography • Animals • posted on Nov 19, 2009

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Description

This is an Alligator Gar, Atractosteus spatula, and it is a primitive ray finned fish. Unlike other Gars, the mature Alligator Gar possesses a dual row of large teeth in the upper jaw. These remarkably Alligator-like teeth, along with its snout, give this Gar its name. The dorsal surface of the Alligator Gar is a brown or olive-color, while the ventral surface tends to be a lighter color. Their scales are diamond-shaped and interlocking - sometimes used by Native Americans for jewelry. An Alligator Gar can survive up to two hours above water. It is the largest species of gar and is the largest exclusively freshwater fish in North America. It can be as long as eight to ten feet and often weighs at least 200 lb (91 kg) at maturity. It feeds by lurking amongst reeds and other vegetation, ambushing its prey. Not my best photo since s/he was under dense foliage in murky water. Some information from Wikipedia. Taken October 2009 Thanks for stopping by, taking a peak and for all your previous comments. Dana

Comments (18)

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bmac62

9:01AM | Thu, 19 November 2009

Oooo, wouldn't want to fall in the water with a 200 pounder mistaking me for another fish. Most interesting...have heard of them...just haven't seen one.

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MrsRatbag

9:01AM | Thu, 19 November 2009

OK, now I have ample reason not to swim in lakes...great shot of one of the terrors lurking below!

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mgtcs

9:28AM | Thu, 19 November 2009

Wonderful shot, excellent photo!

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flora-crassella

9:51AM | Thu, 19 November 2009

very interesting shot! Great!!!

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Katraz

12:58PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

I have kept a couple of gars in the past when I used to photograph fish for books, don't know if they were this one though. nice shot.

MrsLubner

1:02PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

When I was little, it was stories I heard about the Alligator Gar that kept me from ever putting a hand into the bayou. Those teeth and their size scared all the little kids - probably kept a lot of us from sneaking off to the water to swim and drowing too. Wonderful picture, even in the murk.

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tstray1

2:28PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

Rather like the murky shadowy quality of it not having more light available. Cool shot!!!

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jendellas

2:36PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

Fascinating, I see he has his body guards by his side!!!!

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sandra46

4:41PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

awesome shot

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orig_buggy

7:17PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

they are so unique , makes them beautiful!!

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Hubba1

9:35PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

Check it out! I never saw or new you could shoot a pic like this :) Awesome!

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PSDuck

11:00PM | Thu, 19 November 2009

I know about gars. The one thing I do not know...are there any recipes to make these things palatable? Scales were used by Amerinds as jewellery and arrowheads, too! Splendid picture!

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