Lepisosteidae

The family Lepisosteidae comprises seven species of large, predatory freshwater fish commonly known as gars. These fish, found in North America, are characterized by their long, dart-shaped bodies, sharp-toothed beaks, and armor-like scales. Gars inhabit slow-moving or stagnant waters and possess the ability to gulp air, utilizing a specialized gas bladder that functions like a primitive lung to survive in low-oxygen conditions.12

The oldest known fossil of Lepisosteidae dates back to approximately 157 million years ago, near the end of the Jurassic Period. Gars have survived through various epochs, with fossils found in Europe and North America from the Eocene Epoch. Their greenish, yolk-filled eggs are highly toxic, which is believed to be a key factor in their survival. Gars are edible, though not widely consumed in some regions, and their unique scales are sometimes used for jewelry.1