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Gavials - Fish for Food and Humans to Scare

Gavials are one of the two surviving members of the family Gavialdae. They are having a ponderous lizard like shape.

They are the second largest of all surviving Crocodiles having very long and narrow snout. Their average height is 12 to 15 ft (3.7-4.6 m) while some of them measure more( 20 ft (6.1 m) long ).

These gavials are known by several names ie Indian gharial, Indian gavial, Fish-eating crocodile, Gavial del Ganges, Gavial du Gange, Long-nosed crocodile, Bahsoolia, Nakar, Chimpta, Lamthora, Mecho Kumhir, Naka, Nakar, Shormon, Thantia, Thondre, Garial.

Gavials have light skull and narrow jaw as compared to the Gavials of the past. Their light skull and narrow jaw are sufficient to catch moving fish quickly.

They are found in rivers like Ganges, Mahanadi and Brahmaputra of India, in Kaladan and the Ayeyarwady rivers of Myanmar, Indus of Pakistan, and in some places in Nepal. They are close to extinction in Bhutan and Bangladesh.

There are two types of Gavials;

Indian Gavial
False Gavial

Gavials Classification is done in the following manner:

Order Crocodilia

Superfamily Gavialoidea

Genus Eothoracosaurus
GENUS Thoracosaurus
Genus Eosuchus

Family Gavialidae

Genus Eogavialis
Genus Argochamsa
Genus Gryposuchus
Genus Ilkanogavials
Genus Siquisiquesuchus
Genus Piscogavials
Genus HesperogavialS

Genus Gavialis

Gavialis Curvirostris
Gavialis Breviceps
Gavialis Bengawanicus
Gavialis Lewisi
Gavialis Gangeticus - Modern Gharial
Physical Features Of Gavials

Gavials have flat body, and are greenish in color. Mature Gavials have a bulbous growth on the tip of the snout called 'ghara', (Hindi word of 'pot'). Ghara helps in various activities like generating resonant hum during vocalization and in creating bubbles to attract females for mating.

Their elongated and powerful jaws are armed with razor-sharp teeth, which interlock to make a trap for the slippery fish. Their limbs and legs are relatively week, and incapable to perform aggressive activities., However the long compressed aggressive tail reptile possesses a weapon which in one swift will sweep a smaller animal into the water and can also throw a man or bullock.

Gavials are slow walkers on land, but can go speedily if situation demands. On the other hand, they are very good swimmers. The tail helps to make water motions.

Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are located near the top of the head and are visible when they swim on the surface of the water. The ears and nostrils have valves, which closes to prevent water from entering ears and nostrils.

Continue to: Know More On Gharial Chrocodile

Caimans - Can You Have Them for Pets?
Black Caiman - Get an Idea on these Nocturnal Giants
What is a Spectacled Caiman?
Shark vs. Crocodile - Who is Stronger?

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