Until I moved to Florida, I had no idea gar existed. Ancient fish, these species swim throughout waters in the southeast and can weigh hundreds of pounds.

I spotted this Florida Gar in Picayune Strand, near the Everglades. Florida Gar are described by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as: “Prehistoric fish with ganoid (bony) scales that have peg-and-socket joints forming a hard armor. Irregular round, spots occur on top of the head, all over the body and fins.”