Focus on Fish Gallery Guide Focus on Fish Final | Page 15

Longnose Gar
Habitat and Diet:
The longnose gar inhabits areas of the eastern United States,
and like to live near downed trees, stony outcrops, and
vegetation.
They feed upon smaller fish like sunfish and catfish, as well as
small crustaceans and even other, smaller gar!
Relationship to humans:
In areas where longnose gar have declined, the reason has
primarily been due to humans. The construction of dams, road
construction, over-fishing and pollution have affected the gar in
negative ways. Many Native Americans and early settlers
depended on the longnose gar for food. Some people find this
fish scary-looking, but it's meat is actually very tasty!
Fun/Unusual fact:
Most scientists believe that the longnose gar has been living in
North America for over 100 million years!!