Cut-paper gar in side view, a long narrow fish with a long toothy snout

The character cabinet

Gar

Plants and animalsliving fish

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What it is

A fish of North American rivers that still rises to the surface to gulp air.

How we know it's a survivor

Gar fossils from the age of the dinosaurs look almost the same as the fish alive today. And its genes have changed more slowly than those of most other fish.

On screen

Watch it in

Open a chapter to read its story and watch the video. Links include brief mentions and previews within published chapters.