Gharial
The gharial is one of the most critically endangered crocodilians in the world, with fewer than 300 mature individuals remaining in India and Nepal. Adapted to life in fast-flowing rivers with its long, narrow snout perfectly evolved for catching fish, the gharial is a specialist predator that cannot even walk on land — it can only push itself on its belly. Captive breeding and release programmes are the primary tool in its fight for survival.
Average Length
5.0 m
Average Weight
160 kg
Lifespan
60 years
Top Speed
N/A
Quick Facts
The gharial has the most specialised snout of any crocodilian — long and slender for catching fish.
Males develop a bulbous nasal growth called a ghara, used for communication and display.
Fewer than 1,000 adults remain in the wild; the Ken and Chambal rivers are their strongholds.
Panna National Park's Ken River supports a recovering gharial population.
Habitat & Range
Habitats
Regions
Behavior & Reproduction
Activity Pattern
Diurnal
Social Structure
Communal basking, males territorial
Gestation Period
60-80 days incubation
Litter Size
35
Predators
Humans
