Alligator Garfish Skull Replica

Description

Alligator garfish skull replica measures 15.0 x 6.4 x 4.4 inches. The Atractosteus spatula skull is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of California Academy of Sciences specimen. 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The alligator garfish belongs to a group of ray-finned fish closely related to bowfins. This species ranks as the largest member of the gar family and stands as one of the biggest freshwater fishes in North America.

Fossil records track the lineage back to the Early Cretaceous period, stretching back over 100 million years.

People frequently call gars living fossils. They earn this title because they retain physical traits from their ancient ancestors. For instance, they have a spiral valve intestine, a digestive trait they share with sharks. They also maintain the ability to breathe both air and water.

The fish gets is common name from its physical resemblance to the American alligator, thanks to its wide snout and long, sharp teeth. Anecdotal evidence and historical accounts suggest that an alligator gar can reach lengths of up to 10 feet.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Actinopterygii
• Clade: Ginglymodi
• Order: Lepisosteiformes
• Family: Lepisosteidae
• Genus: Atractosteus
• Species: A. spatula
• Binomial name: Atractosteus spatula (Lacépède, 1803)
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Pike, the alligator garfish skull replica, is out clearing trees from the lake property he just bought in Suncrest, Nine Mile Falls, Washington. He wants to make sure plenty of sunshine arrives every day.

Poke, the swordfish skull replica, is poking fun at Sledge for forgetting to bring his sledge hammer to work.

Sledge, the smooth hammerhead shark skull replica, is ignoring Poke. He is making salmon, white corn, and baked potatoes for lunch on the barbeque.

Buzz, the largetooth sawfish rostrum replica, has cut down thirty-three trees in thirty minutes. He is a buzz to hand around, that’s for sure.