Is the Gharial the Same as a Crocodile? What You Need to Know
Its long, slender snout filled with sharp teeth is specially made for catching fish.
While it may not be as famous as the tiger or elephant, the gharial plays a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of river ecosystems. Sadly, this remarkable reptile is now critically endangered and slowly vanishing from its natural habitats.
What makes the gharial unique?
The gharial comes from a completely different family from crocodiles and alligators, having split from them millions of years ago.
Its most noticeable feature is a long, narrow snout filled with sharp teeth– ideal for catching slippery fish in rushing river waters.
Male gharials grow a unique bulb-like bump on the tip of their snouts called a ghara (which means 'pot' in Hindi). They use this special bump to produce sounds and attract mates. This distinct trait is found only in gharials, making it easy to tell them apart from other reptiles.
Size and behaviour: Big but gentle
Adult male gharials can grow to an impressive length of up to six meters (about 20 feet), making them one of the longest reptiles in the world.
But despite their size, they aren't dangerous to humans. Their jaws are narrow and built for catching fish, not attacking large animals or people. Plus, gharials are awkward on land and prefer to stay mostly in the water, where they can move swiftly and hunt effectively.
Caring parents in the reptile world
Unlike many reptiles, gharials display remarkable care for their young. Female gharials lay their eggs in sandy riverbanks and stay nearby to protect the nests from predators.
After the eggs hatch, the baby gharials stay close together in groups called creches, which are watched over by both male and female adults. This uncommon level of parental care helps increase the survival chances of the young gharials in their challenging environment.
A shrinking home and rising dangers
Gharials used to live in many rivers across northern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. But today, they are found only in a few rivers like the Chambal, Girwa, and Ghaghara.
Their numbers are rapidly declining because of several threats caused by humans– pollution, sand mining, building dams, and getting accidentally caught in fishing nets. These challenges make it hard for gharials to live and raise their young in the wild.
Why saving the gharial matters
Saving the gharial is more than just protecting a rare animal– it means protecting whole river ecosystems that support millions of people and many other creatures. As top predators, gharials help keep fish populations in check and maintain balance in the river environment. Their survival is connected to the health of our freshwater systems, so they serve as an important sign of how well these environments are doing.
Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)
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