Gars: Lepisosteiformes

Gars are sluggish but make extremely quick movements for short periods of time. They often lie motionless near the surface until prey swims within reach. Then, with a quick sideways thrust of its sharply toothed bill, the fish stabs the food animal and swallows it.

Gars spawn, or produce and release eggs, in freshwater, usually in the springtime. Fertilization (FUR-teh-lih-zay-shun), or the joining of egg and sperm, which are male reproductive cells, is external, or outside the body. Large numbers of gars come together on sandbanks for spawning and leave quickly afterward. Gars do not take care of their eggs or their young. The eggs are black and stick to rocks or plants. After hatching, the larvae (LAR-vee), or the young form of the fish, have suckers that help them stick to objects, even in moving water. The eggs are highly poisonous.