Gharial
ExploreReptiles
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
Category
ReptilesRarity
Epic
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Snappy Snout
Gharial has a long, slender snout with many sharp teeth that helps them snatch slippery fish with incredible speed.
Ability
Powerful Propulsion
Gharial has a strong, laterally flattened tail that helps them glide effortlessly and powerfully through river currents.
Ability
Stealthy Sight
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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Fish-eating CrocodileGharial Crocodile
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Gharial?
350-500 cm
How much does Gharial weigh?
150-250 kg
How long does Gharial live?
50-60 years
How fast can Gharial move?
18 km/h
What does Gharial eat?
Gharials are expert fish hunters, using their long snouts to catch slippery prey.
How fast can Gharial swim?
15 km/h
Where is Gharial usually found?
Rivers in India and Nepal
How does Gharial hunt?
Ambush
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