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They've got razor-sharp teeth, armor-like scales and can grow over 3 m (10 ft) long.
它们有着锋利的牙齿，像盔甲一样的鳞片，可以长到3米（10英尺）长。
This monstrous fish looks like it could star in a creature feature. Honestly, it's hard to believe it hasn't.
这条巨大的鱼，看起来会是生物特写中的明星。但说实话，很难相信并非如此。
Meet the monstrous alligator gar.
让我们一起来认识一下巨大的鳄雀鳝吧。
This torpedo-shaped leviathan is one of North America's largest freshwater fish.
这种身躯如同鱼雷的庞然大物，是北美最大的淡水鱼之一。
Just take one look at its long, snapping mouth filled with jagged teeth.
只要看看它那全是锯齿状牙齿、又长又极具咬合力的嘴。
It's easy to see why this fish has alligator in its name, although it's not a reptile.
就很容易理解为什么这种鱼的名字里有“鳄”这个字了，尽管它不是爬行动物。
But regardless of their fearsome appearance, these ancient fish may be one of the most interesting and craziest creatures out there.
但撇开它们可怕的外表不谈，这种古老的鱼类可能是最有趣、最疯狂的生物了。
These river monsters can weigh over 159 kg (350 lb). That's about the weight of a refrigerator.
这些河中怪鱼的体重可以超过159公斤（350磅）。这大约是一台冰箱的重量。
The alligator gar is one of seven types of gar.
鳄雀鳝是七种雀鳝中的一种。
They're characterized by their snout length, the number of rows of teeth, and the amount and location of spots that decorate their scales when they are young.
它们鼻子的长度、牙齿的排数，以及幼时鳞片上装饰斑点的数量和位置，都极具特色。
The alligator gar has a longer, wider snout with two rows of razor-sharp teeth in its upper jaw. The inner row of teeth is longer than the outer row.
鳄雀鳝的鼻子又长又宽，上颚有两排锋利的牙齿。内齿比外齿长。
Another unique attribute is this fish's ability to breathe out of water. A duct connects its swim bladder to its gut.
另一个独特的点是这种鱼可以离开水面呼吸。它的鱼鳔和胃是通过一根导管连接起来的。
So this fish can suck air from the surface and thrive in water that is low in oxygen.
所以这种鱼可以在水面上吸入空气，在低氧的水中茁壮成长。
The gar family of fish lives throughout North and Central America and Cuba.
雀鳝种族主要生活在中北美洲和古巴。
Alligator gar are usually seen throughout the lower Mississippi River Valley, which borders Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
其中，鳄雀鳝在密西西比河下游地区较为常见，该地区与俄克拉荷马州、阿肯色州和得克萨斯州接壤。
Typically thriving in brackish waters, they are known for their diverse diets.
通常在淡盐水中茁壮成长的鳄雀鳝，以其多样化的饮食而闻名。
They usually feed on blue crabs and catfish, but they also eat waterfowl, turtles and carrion.
通常以蓝蟹和鲶鱼为食，但也吃水禽、乌龟和腐肉。
Much to the dismay of duck hunters, alligator gar will often swoop on injured waterfowl before the hunters can collect them.
令猎鸭者很不爽的是，在他们捉到受伤的水禽之前，鳄雀鳝经常会抢先一步扑向它们。
While much of the alligator gar's evolutionary history remains a mystery,
虽然鳄雀鳝的进化史有很大一部分仍然是一个谜，
fossil records trace this monstrous creature's origins back over 100 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period.
但化石记录显示，这种怪鱼的起源可以追溯到1亿多年前的白垩纪早期。
These fish existed during the time of the dinosaurs, when monstrous creatures reigned supreme.
它们所生存的恐龙时代，可是由巨型生物来统治的。
Ancestors of the alligator gar have been found in fossil deposits from 215 million years ago.
人们曾发现了2.15亿年前的鳄雀鳝祖先的化石。
Despite being a living relic of natural history and a source of food and material for early American settlers, they were considered a trash fish and culled.
尽管鳄雀鳝是自然历史的活化石，是早期美国殖民者的食物和材料来源，但它们都会被认为是一种废鱼，并遭到捕杀。
They often eat what hunters and anglers perceive as higher-quality fish.
那些被狩猎者和垂钓者认为的质量更好的鱼，通常会被鳄雀鳝吃掉。
And they were believed to destroy fishing nets with their razor-sharp teeth and massive size.
它们也会用锋利的牙齿和巨大的体型来毁掉渔网。
Humans used to eat alligator gar meat. But their eggs are poisonous when eaten by animals or people.
人类过去常常食用鳄雀鳝的肉。但是动物或人类一旦食用了它们的鱼卵，就会中毒。
So if you ever come across some alligator gar caviar, just stick with sturgeon roe instead.
所以如果你遇到了鳄雀鳝鱼子酱，那还是用鲟鱼籽来代替吧。
