The gharial is a critically endangered crocodilian native to the river systems of the Indian subcontinent. Although this large reptile can exceed 16 feet in length, it is overwhelmingly a shy and specialized animal. Understanding its unique biology explains why it poses virtually no threat to human life.
Anatomy and Diet Dictating Behavior
The gharial’s physical structure is the primary reason for its peaceable nature. Unlike its broad-snouted relatives, the gharial possesses a long, thin snout perfectly adapted for catching fish. This specialized jaw, lined with around 110 sharp, interlocking teeth, functions like a sophisticated fish trap.
This anatomy is ideal for rapidly sweeping through the water to snap up fish, which constitute the gharial’s entire adult diet. The snout’s narrow shape and weak musculature are insufficient to capture or crush large mammalian prey. The bulbous growth on the male’s snout, called a ghara, is used for vocalization and does not enhance its predatory capability.
Historical Record of Human Interactions
Gharials are among the most timid and least aggressive crocodilians. Across their entire range, there have been no confirmed fatal attacks on humans. For example, experts note that over an 800-kilometer stretch of river in the Chambal region, a major gharial habitat, not a single attack on a person has been recorded.
Any documented interaction is typically limited to accidental defense, such as a female protecting a nesting site, or a defensive reaction when physically captured. The species’ body structure also limits its mobility on land, making it difficult for a large gharial to move more than a short distance from the water. The only historical link between gharials and human remains involves scavenging, not predation.
In the past, gharials were known to feed on human corpses placed in rivers as part of funeral rites. This behavior is purely scavenging, meaning the animal consumes an already deceased body. This distinction reinforces the gharial’s status as a non-predator of people.
Distinguishing Gharials from Predatory Crocodilians
The perception of danger often stems from confusing the gharial with other, more robust crocodilian species that share its habitat. The Indian river systems are also home to the Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and, in some coastal areas, the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Both of these species have broad, powerful jaws and are well-documented as being dangerous to humans.
The physical difference is the most obvious distinction: Mugger and Saltwater crocodiles have wide, powerful snouts capable of subduing large prey. Behaviorally, the Mugger is an aggressive ambush hunter, while the gharial is a shy, fish-eating specialist that retreats from human activity. Understanding these differences clarifies that the danger associated with other crocodilians in the region does not extend to the gharial.