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Gharial

Gavialis gangeticus

Description:

"The gharial, also called Indian gavial or gavial, is the only surviving member of the once well-represented family Gavialidae, a long-established group of crocodilians with long, slender snouts. The average size of mature gharials is 3.5 to 4.5 m (11 to 15 ft). The maximum recorded size is 6.25 m (20.5 ft). Hatchlings approximate 37 cm (15 in)."

Habitat:

"Gharials once thrived in all the major river systems of the Indian subcontinent, spanning the rivers of its northern part from the Indus in Pakistan across the Gangetic floodplain to the Irrawaddy in Myanmar. Today their distribution is limited to only 2% of their former range."

Notes:

"Gharials are exceeded in size only by the Saltwater Crocodile. Since 2007, the species is listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species issued by IUCN."

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21 Comments

Reza Hashemizadeh
Reza Hashemizadeh 4 months ago

Wonderful !

Adarsha B S
Adarsha B S 6 months ago

Awesome capture...

Carolina Espinoza
Carolina Espinoza a year ago

Congrats Rachael !!!

Trapsuutjie
Trapsuutjie a year ago

O my what big teeth you have! Great photo!

vanhevel
vanhevel a year ago

that's a lot of teeth!

Argy Bee
Argy Bee a year ago

A weird crocodilian with a pot for a nose (males) and severe orthodontic issues.
Good spot.

MaryEvans2
MaryEvans2 a year ago

Stunning photos of a great spotting - thanks for sharing, and congrats!

JenniferOngko
JenniferOngko a year ago

cool ! =))

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar a year ago

Please add to Reptiles of the World mission..

SatyenM
SatyenM a year ago

Congratulations Rachael.

KatCuff
KatCuff a year ago

That is an insane encounter!!! Incredible!

Maria dB
Maria dB a year ago

Congratulations - great photos, Rachel

Congratulations Rachael
Grate series

RachaelB
RachaelB a year ago

Thanks Yasser!

Carolina
Carolina a year ago

Congrats Rachael! It's a really cool looking crocodile!

Yasser
Yasser a year ago

Congratulations Rachael! This photo was selected as Spotting of the Day!

"Exceeded in size only by the Saltwater Crocodile, the long and slender-snouted Gharial is a critically endangered crocodilian found in India and Nepal."

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RachaelB
RachaelB a year ago

@S Frazier: this guy was actually part of the breeding program they have within the Chitwan NP. There's some interesting info about it here:http://www.gharialconservation.org/PDF/CADI%20NEPAL%20Gharial%20report%202005.pdf
They say that the Gharial is one of the seven of the most threatened crocodiles in the world.

SusanEllison
SusanEllison a year ago

awesome reflection shot

KarenL
KarenL a year ago

Great spot!

S Frazier
S Frazier a year ago

Hello. Do you remember anything about the habitat? Thanks

NicoleB
NicoleB a year ago

wow, that's one awesome long snout!

Madhyamanchal, Nepal

Lat: 27.49, Long: 84.48

Spotted on May 6, 2007
Submitted on Dec 25, 2011

Reference

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