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The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as gavial or fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian in the family Gavialidae and among the longest of all living crocodilians. Mature females are 2.6 to 4.5 m (8 ft 6 in to 14 ft 9 in) long, and males 3 to 6 m (9 ft 10 in to 19 ft 8 in).
Gharials are one of the most critically threatened crocodilians. Their primary threats include habitat loss due to human encroachment, unsustainable fishing practices and hunting. The species came alarmingly close to extinction in the 1970s.
Gharials are agile in water with flattened, muscular tails and webbed feet that help propel them. Like all modern crocodilians, gharials possess sharp teeth that are replaced throughout their lifetime. They have unique, elongated snout that is highly specialized to catching fish in rushing waters.
Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts. Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans,...
Gharials are one of the largest members of the crocodilian family. They look very similar to crocodiles and alligators, but they have a distinctive long, narrow snout, which reduces water resistance and helps them to hunt for fish. Historically, they lived in only four river systems in the world, but have now become extinct in many areas.
The gharials numerous needle-like teeth are perfect for holding on to struggling, slippery fish. Although primarily fish eaters, some individuals have been known to scavenge dead animals. The gharial is not thought to be a man-eater.
Gavialidae consists of two living species, the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and the false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), both occurring in Asia. Many extinct members are known from a broader range, including the recently extinct Hanyusuchus.
The Gharial (pronunciation: /ˈɡɛːrɪəl//ˈɡarɪɑːl//ˌɡʌrɪˈɑːl/), also called the gavial or the fish-eating crocodile, is a species of crocodilian found mostly in India. Known for their exceptionally long snouts with a lump-like structure at the tip, they were previously found in almost all the major river systems of the Indian subcontinent.
Gharials are critically endangered, with about 650 adults remaining in the wild, mostly in the National Chambal Sanctuary in North India. Major threats to gharials include habitat disruption from sand mining, dam construction and getting caught in fishing nets.
Gavials are aquatic ambush predators that often lurk below the water surface. They possess sensory organs in their scales that can detect vibrations in the water, giving them the ability to gauge the position of their prey before suddenly snapping out with their jaws.