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201 Featured Specimen
Alligator gar

Details

Alligator gar

Atractosteus spatula

Size
1.8–3 m · 45–137 kg
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Cathemeral
Sociality
Loose group
Lifespan
5-20 years

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.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
NearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearctic

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses large rivers, floodplains, lakes, and slow backwaters. Vegetated shallows, submerged wood, and access to deeper water are useful.

Appearance

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.

Behavior

Activity is flexible, and it may surface to gulp air. It often approaches slowly, then strikes with a sudden sideways snap.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, feeding mainly on fish and sometimes other waterside animals. The broad jaws clamp prey from the side.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs in shallow flooded or vegetated areas during high-water periods. Eggs and young depend on healthy edge habitats.

Notes

Its status is listed as Least Concern. Connected big rivers and functioning floodplains support this long-lived predator.