Details
Atractosteus spatula
The alligator gar is a large fish of North American rivers and lakes. Cathemeral and loosely associated with others, it hunts in broad slow waters.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses large rivers, floodplains, lakes, and slow backwaters. Vegetated shallows, submerged wood, and access to deeper water are useful.
Length is about 180-300 cm and weight about 45-137 kg. A heavy cylindrical body, armor-like scales, broad snout, and sharp teeth define it.
Activity is flexible, and it may surface to gulp air. It often approaches slowly, then strikes with a sudden sideways snap.
It is carnivorous, feeding mainly on fish and sometimes other waterside animals. The broad jaws clamp prey from the side.
Spawning occurs in shallow flooded or vegetated areas during high-water periods. Eggs and young depend on healthy edge habitats.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. Connected big rivers and functioning floodplains support this long-lived predator.
