gar

Gar is the common name for several species of long-bodied freshwater fish in the family Lepisosteidae, native to North and Central America. There are two extant genera: Lepisosteus and Atractosteus. The best-known species include the longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) and the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), with other gar species such as the shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus).

Gars have elongated bodies with very long snouts filled with sharp teeth. They possess thick, diamond-shaped ganoid scales and a primitive, shark-like appearance that reflects their ancient lineage. Many species are ambush predators, relying on a stealthy approach to seize prey.

They inhabit a range of freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes, primarily in North America; some species tolerate brackish water in southern coastal regions. They are adapted to warm, slower-moving waters but can tolerate fluctuating environmental conditions. Some gar species can breathe air, using a vascularized gas bladder that functions like a lung, which helps them survive in low-oxygen environments.

Reproduction occurs in spring or early summer with external fertilization. Eggs are laid in vegetation near the surface and hatch into larvae that feed on small aquatic organisms. Gars are relatively long-lived and reach large sizes in some species.

In human use, gars are pursued as game fish and are sometimes kept in large aquariums, though their meat is often described as bony. Their ancient body plan has led to the common description of gars as living fossils. Outside of biology, Gar can also be a surname or given name in various cultures.