Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Alligator Gar

Mains level: Not Much

alligator-gar

Central Idea: The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) discovered a rare type of fish known as “Alligator Gar” for the first time during the ongoing cleaning of famous Dal Lake in Srinagar.

Alligator Gar

	Information
Scientific Name	Atractosteus spatula
Size and Weight	Up to 8 feet in length, over 300 pounds
Appearance	Long, narrow body; crocodile-like head; sharp teeth
Distribution	Central and North America, freshwater habitats
Fossil Record	Traces back to the Early Cretaceous, over 100 million years ago
Feeding Habits	Voracious predator, feeds on fish, turtles, waterfowl, etc.
Coloration	Brown or olive on upper body, lighter underside
Longevity	Can live for several decades
Conservation Status	Least Concerned (IUCN)