Spotted gar

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iLepisosteus oculatus
Spotted gar, Lepisosteus oculatus
Spotted gar, Lepisosteus oculatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lepisosteiformes
Family: Lepisosteidae
Genus: Lepisosteus
Species: L. oculatus

The Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) lives in North America: Lake Erie and south Lake Michigan drainages south through Mississippi River basin to Gulf Slope drainages from lower Apalachicola River in Florida to Nueces River in Texas, USA. It has a profusion of dark spots on the body, head and fins. It occurs in quiet, clear pools and backwaters of lowland creeks, small to large rivers, oxbow lakes, swamps and sloughs. Occasionally enters brackish waters. A voracious predator feeding on various kinds of fishes and crustaceans.