The Full Moon of August is traditionally known as the Sturgeon Moon,
which, according to The Old Farmers Almanac, is named for the fish called
the Sturgeon, which were once plentiful in waters of the Great Lakes, and
in Lake Champlain, especially in late summer, and were a chief food
staple for the American Indian tribes which lived in these areas.
The origins of this big, scary-looking fish have been traced back to around
136 million years ago. Many people call them, "living fossils". It is said that
they also have long life spans and can live up to 150 years!
There are roughly about 29 species of this resilient fish in the world today.
They have evolved from the size of an average bass, to the size of
a Volkswagen! However, despite their often formidable appearance,
sturgeons are not considered aggressive and do not bite or attack humans.
estimated to be at least 100 years old when caught by fishermen in British Columbia in 2022.
Image courtesy/Steve Ecklund/River Monster Adventures
Although the Sturgeon still exists in America today, their numbers have significantly
dwindled over the years, especially during the age of the western expansion in the
mid-to-late 19th century, and the rise of the commercial fishing industry, which
has caused damage to their natural habitat, not to mention the increase in
water pollution in the Great Lakes region.
Image courtesy/Flickr
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