Gharials

Gharial Latest News

Despite significant existential threats, a comprehensive survey across the Ganga River basin recently revealed a population of 3,037 gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), the critically endangered fish-eating crocodile, inhabiting 13 of the surveyed rivers.

About Gharial

• It is a freshwater crocodile belonging to the Crocodylia Order and Crocodylidae Family.
• Scientific Name: Gavialis gangeticus
• The name ‘gharial’ comes from the Hindi word ghara, meaning pot or vessel, referring to the bulbous snout tip of adult males, which resembles an inverted pot.

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Gharial Distribution 

• Its range spanned the rivers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
• Their major population occurs in three tributaries of the Ganga River: the Chambal and Girwa Rivers in India and the Rapti-Naryani River in Nepal.
• The Gharial reserves of India are located in three States: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Gharial Features

• It is one of the largest crocodilian species, with males reaching 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters) in length. Females typically grow to lengths of 11.5 to 15 feet (3.5 to 4.5 meters).
• They have thick skin covered with smooth epidermal scales that do not overlap. 
• The snout of the gharial is uniquely the thinnest and most elongated among all the crocodilians.
• In addition, the adult males sport a large bulb at the tip of their snout, called the ‘ghara’. 
• It is also the most aquatic of all crocodilians, for it never moves far from the water.  Individuals typically only leave the water to bask and nest on sandbanks.
• Reproduction: They mate during November–January and lay eggs March–May.

Gharial Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Critically endangered‘ under the IUCN Red List.

Source: NIE