The Gar Fish Source

The Alligator Gar (Atractosteus Spatula)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

   

                                                            

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

Unique features: The alligator gar can grow up to 8-12 ft. and often weighs at least 100 lbs. at its adulthood. Its body is broad, with a short snout. Its body is dark brown above and white to yellowish beneath.

 

Binomial Name: The alligator gar’s binomial name is Atractosteus spatula.

 

Feeding Habits: Alligator gars often eat reeds, undersea plant life water fowls, and blue crabs

 

Spawning: The spawning of the alligator gar occurs in May through August, when the Alligator gars deposit their eggs in shallow water. The female swims up stream with 2 or more males.

Hunting Strategies: It just waits patiently for its prey to pass by.

 

Location: The alligator gars inhabit large, slow moving rivers, reservoirs, oxbow lakes, bayous and bays, in fresh and brackish water. The alligator gar is the most tolerant gar species in the world of salinity and occasionally swims into salt water. Young alligator gars may be seen at the surface in debris such as leaves and twigs. Alligator gar prefer large rivers that have a big overflow flood plane, but these rivers are all gone in North America due to the use of dredging, dams, dikes, and levees unfortunately.                                   

 

Fun Fact: The alligator gar is the largest gar in the world and in addition, the biggest freshwater fish in all of North America.