Alligator Gar Fish Skull
$320.00
The Alligator Gar Fish is a primitive ray-finned fish can be found in most of the southeastern United States. Unlike other species of gar, when mature an Alligator Gar possesses a dual row of teeth in the upper jaw.
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Description
Alligator Gar Fish Skull Replica measures 15×6.5×4.5 in. Alligator Gar Fish Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor skull.
Alligator Gar Fish or Atractosteus spatula, is a primitive ray finned fish. Unlike other gars, the mature Alligator Gar possesses a dual row a dual row of large teeth in the upper jaw.
The Atractosteus spatula is a ray-finned euryhaline related to the bowfin in the infraclass Holostei. This species is among the largest freshwater fishes in North America.
The fossil record traces its groups existence back to the early Cretaceous over 100 million years ago.
Atractosteus spatulaare often referred to as “primitive fishes”, or “living fossils” because they have retained some morphological characteristics of their earliest ancestors, such as a spiral valve intestine, which is also common to the digestive system of sharks, and the ability to breathe both air and water.
Their common name was derived from their resemblance to the American alligator, particularly their broad snouts and long, sharp teeth. Anecdotal evidence suggests that an alligator gar can grow up to 10 ft. in length.
The body of an Atractosteus spatula is torpedo-shaped, usually brown or olive, fading to a lighter gray or yellow ventral surface.
Their scales are ganoid scales, which are bone-like, rhomboidal-shaped scales, often with serrated edges, and covered by an enamel-like substance. Ganoid scales are nearly impenetrable and are excellent protection against predation.
Unlike other gar species, the upper jaw of the Atractosteus spatula has a dual row of large, sharp teeth that are used to impale and hold prey.
Alligator Gar are stalking, ambush predators, primarily piscivores, but they also ambush and eat water fowl and small mammals they find floating on the water’s surface.
Alligator Gar Fish Facts:
Conservation status: Least Concern
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lepisosteiformes
Family: Lepisosteidae
Genus: Atractosteus
Species: A. spatula
Binomial name: Atractosteus spatula
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Additional information
| Weight | 8 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15 × 6.5 × 4.5 in |
