Well, Google Trends does love the strange creatures of this world and apparently. We’re fascinated with them as well (actually, you’re fascinated, I didn’t search for any of these things). Today it’s Montauk Monsters, Alligator Gars, and Fishgators. A few months ago, the big hit was Giant Sea Spiders. What ever happened to searching for ordinary Goldfish you sickos?
In any event, it was interesting that Alligator Gar and Fishgator appeared at the same time. I’ve got an explanation for both with some additional commentary on the stupidity of the media (do they have access to the Internet?). First, the Fishgator.
For those with some science knowledge, you likely know that there isn’t such thing as a Fishgator. What amazes me though is what happens when local news agencies get a call about something like a Fishgator being caught. Do they go out and try to figure out what the thing is? No, of course not. They assume it is some type of alien that some kid (it’s always a kid) that just miraculously happened to be caught for the first time ever (usually the first time he or she was fishing or hunting) in the world in the tiny little lake behind the studio. Amazing. A clone-pod from the planet Gorgock landed in your town and its contents began populating your lake. It’s possible…right? So, keeping that mentality in mind, this is what happens. The local news story goes like this (seriously, check out the link):
“His pole was bending,” Jose said. “His snout barely came out and I said, ‘Oh shoot!’”
They knew right away it wasn’t the usual catfish catch.
“Cuz I was about to put my hand in there and go get it and he said, ‘No! Look at the teeth on that!’”
Not their usual catfish…nice drop in.
Now that is a nasty looking thing, but worthy of a news story? It is when it’s an alien fish. Of course, it’s not. Someone managed to figure out using the power of Google that this was in fact an Alligator Gar, which is why both terms are showing up at the same time in Google Trends. Oh, yes, Alligator Gars are not aliens…just in case you weren’t sure.
So, in the picture above, you see Jose holding one with one hand. To that I say, “That’s not a Fishgator…
…that’s a Fishgator!” Ahh, what would we do without Paul Hogan Crocodile Dundee quotes?
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Posted on July 31st, 2008 by Jonathan - Everyone But You
Filed under: animals
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I run a kayak fishing site that happens to be called fishgator, and it took me a while to figure out what was going on yesterday.
But, I embedded a few youtube videos, etc, and added (and linked to/credited) the wikipedia definition of alligator gar, and gave the public what they wanted….
Be a long time before I see that kind of traffic again.
Yep…the fickle Internet…one minute you’re the hottest search, the next, well, the next you’re still fishgator.com. I do have to admit, anyone who professionally TRIES to catch these things is impressive. Most of them don’t come in the size Jose caught, but more like mini-van size. I’m not dragging one of those onto a boat.
They do get 10+ feet in some cases. I’m not sold you bottom pic is a gar though. Looks more like a tiger muskie to me.
That said, I haven’t been that close to one of EITHER in that size range, nor do i plan to be. So my IDing skills are suspect at best.
Now, put a 6 inch sunfish in front of me, and I can sex it ;p
Note to self…send Kevin a 6 inch Sunfish.