Spotted gar
The spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) is a freshwater fish native to North America that has an abundance of dark spots on its head, fins, and dart-like body. Spotted gar have an elongated mouth with many needle-like teeth to catch other fish and crustaceans. It is one of the smallest of the seven species of gar found in North America, growing 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) in length and weighing 4-6 lb (1.8–2.7 kg) typically. Gars have diamond-shaped, thick, enamel (ganoid) scales. The name Lepisosteus is Greek for "bony scale".
| Spotted gar | |
|---|---|
| Spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Clade: | Ginglymodi |
| Order: | Lepisosteiformes |
| Family: | Lepisosteidae |
| Genus: | Lepisosteus |
| Species: | L. oculatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lepisosteus oculatus Winchell 1864 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Gars are almost never eaten in the central and northern United States. They have high levels of mercury and are considered a cancer risk.
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