Did you know?
The gar has a beak-like mouth with lots of teeth and is therefore also referred to as the ‘Caiman fish’. As a unique feature among fish it has a functioning joint at the back of the head which enables the gar to nod. These fish are regarded as living fossils in that their ancestors were found on earth 150 million years ago and they have changed very little since then.
Characteristics
| Classification | Order gars and relatives, family gars |
|---|---|
| Diet | Fishes, crabs and frogs |
| Habitat | Lakes, swamplands, reservoirs and lotic waters |
| Reproduction | Spawns in groups; lays up to 20,000 eggs; maximum age: over 70 years |
Status according to Red List
More information you will get on the web page of the IUCN Red List.
