The gharial is a distinct crocodilian with an ancient lineage, set apart by its uniquely elongated and slender snout. As a specialized inhabitant of river systems, it represents a unique evolutionary path within its group. Its existence today is precarious, with populations facing numerous pressures that have pushed the species to the brink of extinction.
Identifying Features and Physical Description
The most distinguishing characteristic of the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is its exceptionally long and narrow snout, an adaptation for its diet. The snout is lined with approximately 110 sharp, interlocking teeth for securing slippery prey underwater. This feature makes the gharial’s skull shape noticeably different from the broader snouts of other crocodilians.
Gharials exhibit clear sexual dimorphism. Adult males develop a bulbous, fleshy growth on the tip of their snout called a “ghara,” which resembles a traditional Indian pot. This structure functions as a visual signal to attract mates and as a vocal resonator that creates a buzzing sound during courtship. The gharial is one of the longest crocodilian species; males can reach lengths of up to 6 meters (about 20 feet), while females are smaller, growing to around 4.5 meters (about 15 feet).
Habitat, Distribution, and Specialized Diet
Gharials are highly aquatic and adapted to life in large, fast-flowing river systems. They prefer habitats with deep pools and require exposed sandbanks for basking and nesting. Historically, their range extended across the major rivers of the northern Indian subcontinent. Today, their distribution is severely fragmented and found only in a few locations in India and Nepal, representing just 2% of their former range.
The gharial’s diet is highly specialized, consisting almost entirely of fish. Its long snout and sharp teeth are suited for catching fish with a swift sideways strike. While adult gharials are primarily fish-eaters, juveniles have a more varied diet that includes insects, crustaceans, and frogs. This specialization makes them vulnerable to changes in the riverine ecosystem, especially the depletion of fish populations.
Behavior and Reproduction
As ectothermic (“cold-blooded”) animals, gharials spend a significant portion of their day regulating their body temperature. They are the most aquatic of all crocodilians and leave the water primarily to bask on sandy riverbanks. Their leg muscles are relatively weak, making them clumsy on land where they move by sliding on their bellies. Communication includes the distinctive buzzing sound produced by males using their ghara during territorial displays.
Reproduction occurs during the dry season, with mating from December to January. Between March and April, females dig large nests in sandbanks where they lay 30 to 50 eggs, which are the largest of any crocodilian species. The sex of the hatchlings is determined by the incubation temperature. After 60 to 80 days, the young hatch, and while females may guard the nest, parental care is limited compared to other crocodilians.
Conservation Status and Threats
The gharial is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The wild population has experienced a drastic decline of up to 98% since the mid-20th century. This decline is almost entirely due to human activities that have degraded their river habitats. The construction of dams and barrages has altered river flows, creating barriers that prevent gharials from moving freely.
A primary threat is habitat loss from sand mining, which destroys the sandbanks gharials need for nesting and basking. Illegal fishing practices also result in gharials becoming entangled in nets and drowning. The depletion of their fish prey due to overfishing compounds the threats they face. While historical hunting contributed to their decline, today’s main pressures are habitat destruction and interactions with fishing activities.