Gharial

Gavialis gangeticus

The Gharial has a long, thin snout that helps it catch fish! They are friendly and prefer to stay near water.

Habitat: Rivers in India and Nepal

Appearance

The Gharial has a distinctive, very long and thin snout lined with many sharp, interlocking teeth. Its body is greenish-brown with darker bands, and males develop a bulbous growth called a 'ghara' on the tip of their snout.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassCrocodyliaOrderCrocodyliaFamilyGavialidaeGenusGavialis

Gharial

Interesting facts

Baby gharials stay with their mother for several months after hatching!

Despite being very long, their legs are too short to walk very well on land!

Male gharials have a special bulb on their nose that helps them make a buzzing sound!

Their jaws are too delicate to fight large prey, so they only eat fish!

Special abilities

Gharial has a long, slender snout with many sharp teeth that helps them snatch slippery fish with incredible speed.

Gharial has a strong, laterally flattened tail that helps them glide effortlessly and powerfully through river currents.

Gharial has eyes positioned on top of its head, allowing them to see above water while keeping most of their body submerged.

Measurements & details

Length: 350-500 cm
Weight: 150-250 kg
Lifespan: 50-60 years
Top Speed: 18 km/h
Swim Speed: 15 km/h
Clutch Size: 30-50
Incubation: 70-90 days

Diet & Feeding

Gharials are expert fish hunters, using their long snouts to catch slippery prey.

Age differences: Young gharials eat insects and small invertebrates before switching to an almost exclusively fish diet.

Primary Foods

Fish
Crustaceans
Amphibians

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Mrigal carp

Cirrhinus mrigala

A common prey fish in their river habitats.

depends on

Humans

Homo sapiens

Relies on human efforts for protection and habitat restoration.

symbiotic with

Ganges River Dolphin

Platanista gangetica

Shares the same vital, clean river environments.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.