April 21, 2016

Did you know there is a 10 foot living fossil swimming in the freshwater bodies of North America? Usually found near the South, the alligator gar is the largest fish in the gar family. This primitive fish has kept some of the characteristics of its early ancestors such as the spiral valve intestine. It can also breathe underwater and on land thanks to its swim bladder. Now if the 10 foot part doesn't scare you, maybe the fact that these guys have two rows of jagged teeth on the top jaw will. This characteristic is not found in other gars. But thanks to those extra teeth, the fish can impale and hold prey.