Animal Profiles
Fish

Alligator Gar

Atractosteus spatula

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The alligator gar is a large North American fish with a broad, tooth-filled snout. It can breathe air as well as extract oxygen from water.

Atractosteus spatula

Greg Hume · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Large rivers, lakes, bayous and backwaters of the southern United States, including some brackish habitats.
Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Wetlands
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Fish and other available animal prey.

Classification

Common name
Alligator Gar
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Atractosteus spatula
Taxon rank
species
Order
Lepisosteiformes
Family
Lepisosteidae
Genus
Atractosteus
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Length
Up to 3 m upper length reported in the cited account

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • Its swim bladder can function as an air-breathing organ.
  • Hard ganoid scales cover the body.
  • Two rows of teeth line the upper jaw.

Habitat and range

Large rivers, lakes, bayous and backwaters of the southern United States, including some brackish habitats.

Appearance and adaptations

Hard ganoid scales protect the body. Its broad snout carries two upper-jaw tooth rows, and the swim bladder can function in air breathing.

Diet and behaviour

It often appears motionless before making a short, fast ambush. Fish form part of a varied diet that can also include other vertebrates.

Sources

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