Indian Gharial

The Gharial or gavial is a fish-eating crocodile native to the freshwater rivers of the Indian subcontinent. Its wild population has critically declined since the ‘30s due to the loss of habitats and depletion of food sources.  The gharial is the longest of all crocodilians, with the males growing up to 20 feet lengths.

Its lengthy snout houses more than 100 interdigitated needle-sharp teeth adapted for catching fish, which is the crocodile’s staple diet. Juvenile gharials feed on small fish, insects, frogs, and tadpoles. Gharials are also thermoconformers, and they seek warmth when it’s cold and cool down when the weather is hot.