longnose gar
Quick Summary
The longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is a species of gar found in rivers and lakes across the eastern and north-central United States. Gars are large North American fish related to the bowfin, characterized by their long, dart-shaped bodies and sharp-toothed beaks. They inhabit slow-moving waters and can gulp air to supplement oxygen intake, utilizing a primitive lung-like gas bladder.12
Longnose gars are distinguished by a snout more than twice the length of the rest of their head. Their bodies are covered in armor-like, diamond-shaped scales. Gars have a long evolutionary history, with fossils dating back to the Jurassic Period. Their greenish eggs are toxic, which is thought to be a key factor in their survival. While edible, gars are not commonly eaten in the central and northern United States.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.