The murky waters of the rivers of India and Nepal are home to one of the most unusual and ancient creatures on the planet — the Gharial. At first glance, it cannot be confused with any other crocodile: its narrow, elongated mouth, studded with hundreds of sharp teeth, resembles the beak of a prehistoric reptile. This unique feature is not a quirk of evolution, but an ideal hunting tool that has defined the entire life of this amazing animal.
Unfortunately, today the gharial is on the verge of complete extinction. While ordinary crocodiles and alligators can still adapt to changes, the gharial is a fragile specialist whose fate is inextricably linked to clean, deep, and fast-flowing rivers. The disappearance of its familiar habitat, the reduction of its food supply, and death in fishing nets have put the species in a critical situation.
This article is a story about the last living relic, the real dragon of the Ganges waters. We will learn what it looks like, in which rivers it still survives, what it eats, and why its future is now hanging by a thread. Understanding its uniqueness is the first step towards realizing what we may lose forever.
Range and lifestyle
The Gharial is the only living species in the genus Gavial, belonging to the family of the same name. It inhabits northern and northeastern India, as well as Pakistan, Nepal, and parts of Myanmar. Previously, its range was wider, but now it has narrowed to these territories.
It is found in freshwater bodies, preferring fairly deep rivers with murky waters and fast currents. At the same time, it more often inhabits calm places, such as pools and backwaters, and river bends.
Note: The gavial leads an aquatic lifestyle and, of all crocodiles, spends the most time in the water. It only comes ashore to lay eggs and to regulate its body temperature (to bask in the sun).
Unlike many other crocodiles, the gharial feeds on only small prey:
- fish;
- invertebrates (insects, crustaceans);
- frogs;
- small mammals;
- carrion.
The crocodile will not go after large prey, as it cannot handle it. Gharials are slow, unhurried, usually swimming at a speed of 3-4 km/h, and if they need to speed up, they only reach 7 km/h.
Young gavials in the Chitwan National Park nursery, Nepal
They move rather clumsily on land, but this does not harm them in the least, because adult specimens have no natural enemies.
Description of appearance
The gavial is a very large crocodile. Males reach a length of 4-5, sometimes 5.5 m, and females – 3 m (about 10 years old).
The coloration is predominantly dark, with brown and olive, marshy tones. At the same time, the belly, like that of other crocodiles, is lighter, with a yellow-green coloration.
Ganges gavial
Numerous plates are visible on the lower surface, they press tightly against each other and form a kind of shield. This adaptation appeared in the course of evolution, it allows the animal not to injure itself when it comes into contact with sharp stones at the bottom and on the banks of rivers.
The jaws are very narrow, which distinguishes the gavial from other crocodiles. It is known that the length parameter is 4-5 times greater than the width. Moreover, this difference is even greater in young animals. This shape is associated with the need to catch fish, which is their main diet. Thanks to its narrow shape, it is able to better overcome water resistance, including against the current.
Male gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), Chambal River, Uttar Pradesh, India
This is interesting! In nature, there are also almost white gharials, as well as crocodiles whose coloration resembles algae. But such varieties are extremely rare.
The Gharial is a rare crocodile with a long, narrow snout that lives in the rivers of India and Nepal. It depends almost entirely on fish, which it catches with quick movements of its head in clear, fast-flowing water. Due to river pollution, dam construction, and fishing by humans, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the gavial to survive. Today, there are very few left, and it is threatened with extinction. Only nature conservation and habitat preservation can save it.
Reproduction characteristics
Reproduction begins after reaching the age of 9-10 years. Males have not one, but several females, from which they drive away competitors.
The mating season begins in November and ends in January, lasting 2-2.5 months.
Female and young gavial
Interesting! The male attracts the female by blowing bubbles and making sounds. After mating with one, he may become interested in another in order to give attention to each female in his group.
The clutch is formed on the shore.
- In March, April, or May, during droughts, the rivers dry up and the sandy banks are exposed.
- The female comes out at night and lays her eggs 4-5 m from the water's edge (without digging a hole).
- Then she gathers branches, leaves, and other plant material to form a nest.
- After that, it leaves the clutch, but returns to it every night.
- Each egg weighs 130-160 g, which is more than other crocodiles. The incubation period lasts from 60 to 80 days.
- At birth, crocodiles are 40 cm long, with a jaw length of 5 cm and a tail length of about 20 cm.
The mother does not take them in her mouth and carry them into the water, as many other crocodiles do. The reason for this is again related to their narrow jaws.
Gharials in the Chambal National Reserve
They go into the water on their own, but the mother accompanies and cares for her offspring for several weeks. Of all the newborns, only 1-2 crocodiles survive and live to reach sexual maturity.
Interesting facts
There are several interesting facts about the Ganges gharial. Although it is not the most powerful crocodile, other animals rarely attack it because they fear its large size.
- All adult gharials are large animals, growing up to 4-5 m. But there is a record of one individual that reached 6 m. At present, large reptiles are rarely found due to widespread poaching.
- Gharials almost always spend their time in water bodies, which is why small crustaceans from the suborder of marine barnacles settle on the skin of some individuals and live there permanently.
- Gharials can have up to 100 teeth. This is more than any other crocodile. But they are much smaller and are arranged diagonally, making it difficult for fish to escape from the jaws.
Gharial at the Florida Zoo
Male gavials have a growth (appendage) on their nose. It releases air bubbles, which attracts females before mating. The male can also use the growth to make sounds.
The Gharial is a truly unique creature of nature, the last representative of an ancient species. Its incredibly narrow snout, resembling tweezers, is perfectly adapted for catching fish, and it has no equal in this endeavor. Seeing this animal is like looking into the world of the distant past.
Unfortunately, today this unusual crocodile is on the verge of complete extinction. We, humans, are to blame for this. Pollution of rivers, construction of dams, and plowing of riverbanks have deprived gavials of their homes. Fishermen's nets and poachers hunting for supposedly medicinal eggs complete the sad picture.
But there is still hope. Efforts to breed gavials in captivity and release young animals into the wild are bearing fruit. However, this is not enough. To save the gavial, global changes are needed: clean water in rivers, protected areas, and the understanding of local residents. This is not just about saving one species — it is about preserving an entire river ecosystem and our natural heritage.
