24 Feb 11
Cool fish. Apparently they're indigenous to the Mississippi delta. Up to ten feet long according to Wiki. They lurk in the reeds in marshes and attack prey with alligator like mouths. Sometimes they bite people it says!
I wonder if they ever fight with real alligators?
The Wiki article says they once in a long while are found in southeast Asia for some reason. How they get there from Louisiana I have no clue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator_gar
24 Feb 11
Originally posted by AThousandYoungSeems they've been around since the cretaceous period, so they've had 60+ million years to find a way. I suppose there was a time they were far more widely distributed.
The Wiki article says they once in a long while are found in southeast Asia for some reason. How they get there from Louisiana I have no clue.
24 Feb 11
Originally posted by joneschrEverything has been around since the cretaceous period. If these guys had been separated any length of time they'd have become different species. No, they have to be getting swept up in currents somewhere or something.
Seems they've been around since the cretaceous period, so they've had 60+ million years to find a way. I suppose there was a time they were far more widely distributed.
25 Feb 11
Originally posted by AThousandYoungIf they are really not native to the area, then it is most likely they escaped (or were released) from aquariums.
Everything has been around since the cretaceous period. If these guys had been separated any length of time they'd have become different species. No, they have to be getting swept up in currents somewhere or something.