DeKay, 1842; LEPISOSTEIDAE FAMILY

Found throughout peninsular Florida and in the panhandle as far as the Apalachicola River drainage, where there is evidence that it may hybridize with the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), its closest relative. The Florida gar also occurs through part of southern Georgia to the Savannah River drainage. West of the Apalachicola River drainage in the western panhandle and throughout several states to the west and northwest of Florida, they are by the spotted gar. Apparently their ranges do not overlap except in the Apalachicola drainage. The Florida gar is relatively common in medium to large lowland streams and lakes with mud or sand bottoms and an abundance of underwater vegetation. It is also abundant in canals, such as the Tmi.

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