Alligator Gar: A Century-Old Survivor Thriving Through the Ages

While humans often believe they dominate Earth, our existence is relatively brief compared to other species. The ancient-looking Atractosteus spatula, commonly called the alligator gar, is often labeled a 'living fossil.' This title is well-deserved, as scientists have traced this remarkable fish back 100 million years.

"The alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula, is the biggest among the seven existing gar species," explained Robert H. Robins, collection manager at the Division of Ichthyology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, during a 2019 interview. "Apart from its enormous size, it can be identified by its two rows of teeth in the upper jaw, unlike other gar species, and a head that is proportionally wider."

In early May 2022, a Texas angler reeled in an enormous alligator gar of staggering size. As reported by LiveScience, Payton Moore, a YouTuber, educator, and conservationist, caught the colossal fish, measuring 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length and weighing approximately 300 pounds (136 kilograms). Speaking to the Houston Chronicle, Moore described the experience, saying, "It felt like a car had started rolling out of the driveway, and I was clinging to the back."

After documenting the gar's measurements, Moore released it back into the bayou and shared a video of the catch on his WILD LIFE YouTube channel on May 7. However, since he didn't pursue official certification or weigh the fish, his impressive haul doesn't qualify for record books. The Texas record for the largest alligator gar remains unbroken, held by a 302-pound (137-kilogram) specimen caught in 1953, as noted by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Alligator Gar Have No Relation to Alligators

For those unfamiliar with fishing, here's a brief overview of the gar species (plural: gar or gars): These freshwater fish are now exclusive to North America, ranging from Montana to southern Quebec and down to Costa Rica. However, fossil records suggest that alligator gars once inhabited waters in Europe, Africa, South Asia, and South America. Known as garpikes, their name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word for spear, a fitting description given their elongated, armor-plated bodies and long, pointed snouts.

The alligator gar, however, stands apart with its distinctive short, wide, shovel-shaped snout, setting it apart from other gar species and earning its reptilian-inspired name. Like its relatives, the alligator gar can grow to impressive sizes, reaching up to 350 pounds (159 kilograms) and over 10 feet (3 meters) in length. On average, adults weigh between 100 to 160 pounds (45 to 73 kilograms) and measure 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 2 meters).

The alligator gar's unique dark olive-brown hide has long been prized by humans. Its tough, overlapping ganoid scales have been crafted into jewelry, tools, and various leather goods, while its skin oil has served as an effective insect repellent.

Alligator gars feed on blue crabs, turtles, small mammals, and waterfowl. Due to their massive size, they face few natural predators and rank among North America's largest freshwater fish species.

Do Alligator Gar Bite?

While alligator gars can become aggressive when threatened and possess razor-sharp teeth, there has never been a confirmed case of an alligator gar attacking a human.

Robins notes that alligator gar fishing has been practiced for centuries, possibly longer. "The motivations vary," he explained. "In Florida, harvesting alligator gar requires a special permit, limited to scientific research or species management. This is prudent, as alligator gars grow slowly, mature late, and rely on specific spawning habitats, making them susceptible to overfishing and environmental harm."

Alligator Gar Are Edible, But Not Tasty

While anglers may relish the challenge of catching alligator gar, few are eager to turn them into a meal. Although technically edible, the species is far from a culinary delight. "Gar eggs are toxic, and their flesh is of low quality," Robins noted. "Additionally, their bodies are encased in tough ganoid scales, making them extremely difficult to prepare. Given these factors, it’s rarely worth the effort."

If alligator gar aren’t suitable for the dinner table, could they at least make good pets? "I’ve seen gar sold as pets, including rare color variants, but they grow to at least 3.2 feet (1 meter) in length," Robins explained. "This makes them impractical for most home aquariums, and only large public facilities can realistically house them." Unless you have a massive private tank, owning an alligator gar long-term is unlikely.

Overfishing of alligator gar may have been fueled by a now-disproven belief that they preyed heavily on fish species prized by humans. While alligator gar do consume other fish, they aren’t particularly drawn to game fish and instead thrive on a varied diet of small mammals, waterfowl, insects, and crustaceans.

Regarding their impact on fish populations, alligator gar are unlikely to disrupt ecosystems. "All gars are predators," Robins stated. "Their diet changes significantly with age. Young gar feed on small invertebrates or tiny fish, while larger individuals target bigger fish and other vertebrates."