Receding flood waters at Orlo Vista reveal dinosaur-like fish trapped in fence – WFTV

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 photographer Ulen Hodges snapped an interesting photo Tuesday while covering flooding in the Orlo Vista neighborhood of Orange County.

The community, which sits south of West Colonial Drive between the North Hiawassee and North Kirkman roads, experienced continuous flooding.

Neighbors began to assess the damage caused by the hurricane, and in one house Hodges spotted a seemingly ancient fish called the Florida gar.

The fish had become trapped in a homeowner’s fence during the flood.

READ: ‘They didn’t care about us’: Orlo Vista residents frustrated with county’s response to Hurricane Ian

The bony prehistoric fish has scales that form hard armor, according to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

They typically inhabit streams, canals and lakes with mud or sand bottoms near underwater vegetation, FWC said.

“(Gar) uses a bladder to breathe air in oxygen-poor water,” the agency said. “Adults feed mainly on fish, shrimp and crayfish.”

The biggest Florida guy ever caught in Florida weighed nearly 10 pounds.

READ: Hurricane Ian: How to take care of your mental health after the storm

Residents of Orlo Vista are shocked by the devastation caused by the storm, saying it is their breaking point.

The county said it was committed to making improvements, but neighborhood residents say they’ve heard this before.

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