GHARIAL

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Avialis gangeticus

The Gharial, also known as the Fish-Eating Crocodile or Gavial is a species of Crocodilian found in scattered patches in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Guwahati. They are known for their long, slender jaws which are filled with up to 110 needle-like teeth. The males have a large growth on the tip of the nose known as a Ghara, which is hindi for 'mud pot.' During mating season, the males will use these to make snorting sounds and blow bubbles to attract a mate. Gharials have very dark, dull scales which are green or brown. Adults can reach sizes of 15 to 20 Ft (4-6 M) long and weigh almost 2,000 Lbs (900 Kg.) Gharials can live up to 60 years in the wild. The Scales are mostly rectangular and there are large projections along the tail.

The Gharial spends almost all of its time in the water, only leaving to bask on the sand. The eggs are laid near the water and incubate for 70 Days. The hatchings will stay with their mother for a few weeks. Unlike most crocodillians, the Gharial isn't an ambush hunter, but finds its prey using cells built into its snout. Gharials feed exclusively on fish, while young gharials eat smaller animals, such as frogs, insects and crustaceans.

The Gharial is listed as a critically endangered species. They are threatened by poaching for traditional medicine and their habitat is being drained by dams and other structures.